Not enough support is being provided to users of a banned substance called khat, members of Cardiff's Somali community have said.
The plant, popular in Somali and Yemeni communities, has a stimulant effect when chewed, but it can lead to mental health issues.It was criminalised as a class C drug by the UK government in June.
Cardiff and Vale health board said it was still in the process of rolling out support for users.
What is khat?
- A leafy plant native to Kenya which has a stimulant effect when chewed
- Khat is traditionally used by members of the Somali, Yemeni and Ethiopian communities
- It makes people happy and talkative but can cause insomnia and temporary confusion
- Chewed for a few hours it leaves users with a feeling of calm, described by some as "blissed out"
- The drug could make pre-existing mental health problems worse and it can provoke feelings of anxiety and aggression
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