EXPERTS DIVIDED ON LOCAL PRESENCE OF CHEWABLE DRUG KHAT IN FORT MCMURRAY

Khat, a drug common in ethnic communities in Canada, is likely here
in Fort McMurray, though not in the magnitude of eastern cities, say experts.

A local chemist approached the police to complain of the drug's
prevalence this summer, and he estimates that 50 per cent of the
population of South Arabian and Somali residents use it here. Few
others corroborate this view.

The drug is a Schedule 4 national narcotic, which means it is not
illegal to possess, but still carries the same penalties for
trafficking as others, like cocaine or marijuana. But it is illegal
to use it while driving.

The drug comes from the fresh, green leaves of the Catha Edulis
plant, and the active ingredient, Cathinone, leads to energy and
reduces appetite, what some compare to several cups of coffee.

"I think that is not a good approach from the RCMP and the reason is
that because if you are driving and are on drugs, they have the
right to stop you, and if you are involved in an accident, they will
not test you for khat, but will for other drugs," said Samer Obayed,
a chemist with Canada Research Laboratories.

Obayed admits that he has a business interest in mandating testing,
but says that because khat is commonly used by taxi drivers, it poses a risk.

"It could be as dangerous as marijuana depending on the usage," he said.

The managers of the three taxi companies deny having heard of the
drug, though a dispatcher at one of the companies who refused speak
farther asked, "hasn't everyone?"

The local RCMP doubt the large prevalence of khat in the area, and
as yet no seizures have been made.

"Given where we are, that's one of the reasons I didn't ever really
expect to see it here," said Const. Tye Roddick-Ament, considering
that the active lifespan of the drug once pulled from the shrub is
very short. He said he first came into contact with the drug in an
Edmonton hospital.

"I've had anecdotal references to it being here, but I've never
actually seen it myself. If you don't use it within 24 to 48 hours
you may as well be chewing grass," he said.

Others agree that the lifespan is short, but it is still possible to
experience some effects of the drug when the leaves are dryer.

Abdull Ahi Haji, a member of the local Somali community, says that
fresh khat can still be found in Toronto because it takes only two
days to arrive there from Europe. But out here, it is generally hard
to find fresh khat, unless you have a family member visiting from the city.

"I used to chew it back home, and even here in Canada sometimes when
they bring it from Europe nd England," said Haji. "Back home it's
just a normal thing for people to have after dinner ... or when
people come to see you."

He says that khat is a social habit, done among friends and
neighbors, but he rarely does it here because it is difficult to
find. The east Africans in the community are predominantly Islamic,
and do not drink or take any other drugs. Khat is not as as
addictive as cigarettes, And so, he argues, it is not wrong to enjoy
it in the company of friends.