Khat is destroying somaliland

[mvp]

HARGEISA, Somaliland — Somalia’s economy is dominated by trade in khat, a narcotic banned in the U.S. and much of Europe.

Eye-popping, head-buzzing khat is loved by idoor men who chew the leaves for their stimulant effect. While most of war-torn Somaliland's economy is moribund, khat does a bustling trade estimated at well over $50 million annually. Doctors warn, however, that the drug is not only a drain on limited Somali resources but is also destroying lives.

Hargeisa is the capital of Somaliland, the northern territory nominally independent from Somalia which maintains peace and economic activity, especially the khat trade.


Lounging on a rug on the second floor of an ostentatious glass and stone mansion overlooking Hargeisa, Mohamed Yusuf Moge, aptly known as "The Fat Mohamed," lit up another cigarette. In front of him was a pile of leafless khat twigs. His eyes were wide and red-rimmed, a symptom of the leaves that have been chewed.

“We bring in 80-tons of khat every day,” he said. “We have many vehicles and two airplanes for transporting our produce. We control the market: We are the De Beers of the khat industry!”

"We" is "571 Allah Amin," a family business started 15 years ago that has grown to become Somaliland’s biggest khat importer. Moge is 571’s country rep. Although he would not reveal how much the company makes, it is estimated that its revenue is $320,000 a day.

Downtown at the company depot, the second of the day’s trucks arrives from the highland farms of neighboring Ethiopia mid-morning. Thursday is the busiest day of the week because, as one man explained, Friday is the Muslim day of rest so everyone can sleep off their khat hangover.

[mvp]

you can also watch this video and read the whole article from this link

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/afri ... ct-economy

[mvp]

it's very funny how idooris spend more money on kat then thier entire poor country budget.

Yet it is not unusual for men to spend $5 or $10 a day on khat, making the habit a huge drain on very limited resources. The government’s entire annual budget is less than $50 million, around $14 a head for each of Somaliland’s 3.5 million citizens.

[Elmi_Dheere]

They don't call it mirqanland for nothing

[Copy.&.Paste]

yeah it's a problem...and?

[Gara Man]

I dont think chat is that serious as some people like it to portray it but i do think chat + cigarettes is a deadly combo . I have seen people change so much b/c of this.

[Oxidant]

Khat is to Somalis, what crack is to African American

Both are destroying societies

[Gara Man]

^^I hear you on that but i just dont think its that of a big deal but crack is a way more powerful drug than of what chat is.

[Elmi_Dheere]

Khat+Cigarettes+Soft drinks+Insomnia= myocardial infarction at 29.

[mvp]

^^I hear you on that but i just dont think its that of a big deal but crack is a way more powerful drug than of what chat is.

look wat kat did to this mirqaanlad dude, i do not think crack can do anything near wat can do the people. 90% of mirqaanland people are toothless. crack do not harm yo teath.

[Goljano Lion]

mvp

if you are honest about kaad problems in Somalia and wanna bring awareness to the Somali masses why don't start in Bugland, you know what they say charity begins at home

[Gara Man]

Like watch this gringo in this doco when talking about chat usage in Harar. The piece is like an hour or so and goes and talks in great lengths about other lands in ethiopia but when he travels to the east , he has like 1:30 secs showing of what is basically ridicule of chat chewing culture there.



straight from the vid

.....It has a thin-wired mercury high....
Its used to dispel feeling of hunger and fatigue, its used socially but its in fact hugely anti-social, making people irritable not likely to work until exhausted from elation you fall asleep in the discared leaves among the stone goats of Harar.

[salafi_student]

They love Khat more than their kids....is disgusting!

[Goljano Lion]

They love Khat more than their kids....is disgusting!

MVP aka Salafi enough qof waalan banu la murmaynay

[salafi_student]

Goljano

Why are you defending Khat, are you a Marfish boy ?