§ Jeremy Corbyn:To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effects of khat on the Somali population in the UK; and what advice his Department gives to local health authorities in developing policies to deal with the issue. [127514]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson:The Home Office commissioned and published a report on khat use in Somalis living in London in 1998, which identified only limited concerns about its use and availability. In addition, the Home Office's drugs and alcohol research unit is shortly to start a detailed study to assess the level of harm caused by khat. The interim findings of this report will be available in spring 2004 and will be considered by the advisory council on the misuse of drugs. It is expected that a final report will be completed in autumn 2004.
There is currently no specific guidance for local health authorities on this issue, though mental health services and drug services have a range of treatment options for dealing with the effects of stimulant misuse.