Biography
Biography: Rana Jaffer
Abstract
Substance abuse is a tragedy every society and health system face in the world. Forms and patterns of abuse vary from one place to another. The khat (Catha edulis) shrub is cultivated in the Arabian Peninsula, and North Africa. The citizens of this region have been carrying the tradition of chewing khat leaves since 15th century and this culture has been passed on from generation to generation. Khat sale is a source of income to these countries. But it has its own pros and cons on mankind, society and environment. The chemical structure of khat is made up of cathinones and cathine. On one hand Yemen, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Sudan are preoccupied in khat abuse, the western world has the synthetic cathinones (bath salts) hitting their markets with all sorts of exotic colors, shapes and shades. Though khat consumption and abuse might not be a common practice in the western countries but spreading and sharing knowledge would certainly enrich our skills as physicians for providing efficient patient care