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Addictive Leaf May Rob Yemen of Water

Khat consumes water, drains family resources, detractors say

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 25, 2009 8:15 PM CDT

(Newser) – It's no secret that Yemen loves khat—a leaf chewed to produce a mild, amphetamine-like effect. Nearly 90% of men and 25% of women indulge, and most families actually spend more on khat than food. The ramifications have been long chronicled, but Time points out a less obvious one emerging as a serious threat: Khat is robbing the parched nation of precious water.

Nearly all of Yemen’s arable land is devoted to khat, which requires so much water that it sucks up 30% of the nation's supply. "Yemen is in real danger of becoming the world's first country to run out of water," writes Andrew Lee Butters. The nation already is in a fragile state as it battles a separatist insurgency. It may not be able to survive a massive drought, followed by the inevitable mass migrations in search of water.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (2)]

In this undated photo released by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, stalks of khat are displayed. (AP Photo/U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration)

A view of the city of Sana'a in 2005. (Getty Images)

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You sit up discussing all your problems and think you've solved everything, but in fact you haven't done anything in the last four hours, because you've just been chewing khat and all your problems actually got worse.
- Adel al-Shujaa, professor

Khat is alcohol for Muslims. You can chew it and still go to prayers.
- Yahya Amma, Yemeni merchant

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Addictive Leaf May Rob Yemen of Water