Is the future of miraa bleak?

Miraa (khat) was classified by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as a new narcotic along with 348 other substances. The UN called them New Psychoactive Substances (NPS). The report went ahead and explained that NPS are substances that break the blood-brain barrier acting on the nervous system to affect brain action, resulting to alterations in mood, perceptions, behavior and cognitive functions of the brain.

Khat (Catha edulis) is a flowering plant native to Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It contains a monoamine alkaloid called cathinone. It is a stimulant which causes excitement and loss of appetite. In 1980 the World Health Organization classified it as a drug of abuse that can produce mild to moderate psychological dependence. It is a controlled substance in some countries and most countries are eager to ban it.

Miraa is most popular in Yemen where an estimated 80% of the populations between the ages of 16-50 chew it. It’s estimated that 40% of water in Yemen is used to irrigate this plant. Production rises between 10-15% annually due to rise in acreage under khat. 14.6 million Person-hours are spent chewing it, a recreational habit which gobbles 17% of incomes in most households.

United Kingdom just joined a group of countries who bowed to pressure to protect its citizenry from harmful effects of this drug. Surprisingly some legislators are promising to explore new market in China despite the fact that miraa is banned there.

Social consequences of miraa outweigh economic benefits by far. Families have slept hungry as fathers spend their earnings on khat. Failure to perform in bed has led to divorces and adultery. Youths have engaged in crime just to get something “ya mogoka ya jioni”. Mogoka dens are havens of crime where you will find anything from electronics to spare parts. Crime plots are hatched from here and proceeds of crime shared in these “bases”.

Miraa chewing is detrimental to mental and dental health. Persons with kidney and heart diseases are advised not to use it.

In view of these developments, it is evident that the future of miraa is bleak. It is a matter of time before most countries impose a total ban on miraa. Despite National Campaign against Drug Abuse, chairman Mututho assurance that miraa is not a drug; there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary. We expect him to exhibit the same zeal in controlling it just as he is doing with alcohol.

Miraa farmers should start embracing alternative crops because their traditional source of livelihood is under threat. Luckily the Central Eastern parts are blessed with abundant rainfall and rich soils. There is much untapped potential in traditional drought -resistant and nutritious foods. Their leaders should not waste time on litigation or claiming to source new markets.