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ABDUL GHANI N; ERIKSSON M; KRISTIANSSON B; QIRBI A
The influence of khat-chewing on birth-weight in full-term infants.
Soc Sci Med. 1987. 24(7). P 625-7.
The leaves of the shrub Catha edulis (khat) are widely chewed as part of social life in several countries around the Red Sea and in East Africa. The leaves possess stimulant properties and are also used by pregnant women. The effect of khat on birth-weight has been studied, It was found that healthy full-term, singletons, born after uneventful pregnancies and deliveries, had a significantly lower average birth-weight when the mothers were khat-chewers, either habitually or occasionally (P less than 0.001). Khat-chewing appears to be one of several maternal practices adverse to the fetus.

Africa packet
collection of articles on psychoactive plants of Africa, including Voaconga and Katha edulis, with particular emphasis on Tabernanthe iboga, sociology of the Bwiti cult, and synthesis of iboga alkaloids.

ASUNI T; PELA OA
Drug abuse in Africa.
Bull Narc. 1986 Jan-Jun. 38(1-2). P 55-64.
Apart from cannabis abuse in northern and southern Africa and khat chewing in north-eastern Africa, the history of drug abuse in Africa is relatively short. The abuse of drugs in Africa is nevertheless escalating rapidly from cannabis abuse to the more dangerous drugs and from limited groups of drug users to a wider range of people abusing drugs. The most common and available drug of abuse is still cannabis, which is known to be a contributing factor to the occurrence of a schizophrenic-like psychosis. The trafficking in and abuse of cocaine determine the real magnitude and characteristics of the problem and to monitor its trends. A lack of funds and a shortage of adequately trained personnel have made it difficult to implement drug abuse control programmes. In addition to formal drug control involving the implementation of legislation, there is an informal system of drug abuse control operating through the family, church, school, neighbourhood and work environment, as well as healthy recreational activities. It is suggested that efforts in African countries should be directed towards strengthening not only the formal drug control system but also informal control in order to compensate for the insufficient funds and the shortage of personnel trained in implementing formal drug control measures. It is very likely that the drug problems in African countries will worsen in future unless more effective measures are implemented to arrest the current situation.

BRENNEISEN R; GEISSHUSLER S; SCHORNO X
Metabolism of cathinone to (-)-norephedrine and (-)-norpseudoephedrine.
J Pharm Pharmacol. 1986 Apr. 38(4). P 298-300.
S-(-)-Cathinone (S-(-)-alpha-aminopropiophenone) is the major active principle of khat leaves (Catha edulis), which are widely used in East Africa and the Arab peninsula as an amphetamine-like stimulant. After oral administration of synthesized cathinone (isomers, racemate), 22-52% was recovered in 24 h urine samples mainly as aminoalcohol metabolites. With GC/MS, HPLC and CD, the main metabolite of S-(-)-cathinone was identified as R/S-(-)-norephedrine and the main metabolite of R-(+)-cathinone as R/R-(-)-norpseudoephedrine. Both amino alcohols areformed by a stereospecific keto reduction.

Brough, John.
Soma and Amanita Muscaria.
Bulletin of the School of Oriental annd African Studies, University of London 34:331-362. (1971)

Bwiti: An Ethnography of the Religious Imagination in Africa. James W. Fernandez. Princeton University Press. Princeton, NJ. 1982. $92.50. hardcover. 732 pages. [large box 1m-L]

COSTA,C: BERTAZZO,A: ALLEGRI,G: CURCURUTO,O: TRALDI,P:
Indole Alkaloids from the Roots of an African Plant Securidaca Longipedunculata. I. Isolation by Column Chromatography and Preliminary Structural Characterization by Mass Spectrometry.
J Heterocycl Chem 29 6: 1641-1647 (1992) English

Doblin, Rick
MAPS MDMA Analysis Project
In February and March of 1996, people from around the United States and England sent MDMA for analysis to a licensed testing facility. The purpose of the study was to gather information about the quality of the MDMA being sold on the underground market in the United States and England. Information about the quality of MDMA is necessary in order to estimate the dangers faced by users of illicitly manufactured and distributed MDMA and to place reports of adverse effects in some context.
A total of 33 samples were tested, 22 from the United States, 10 from England and 1 from South Africa. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted on all the samples.

DU TOIT, BRIAN M
Historical and cultural factors influencing cannabis use among Indians in South Africa.
Journal of Psychedelic Drugs; 1977 Jul-Sep Vol 9(3) 235-246
British settlers in South Africa imported laborers from India in the period between 1855 and 1911 and prohibited their traditional use of cannabis in 1870. However, current surveys indicate that cannabis is widely used in South Africa not only by Indian and Coloured races but also by African and White races.

DUNFORD, MARTIN; HOLLAND, JACK
Concert Halls & Multi-Media Centers
THE REAL GUIDE - AMSTERDAM (The Guide for the '90s; Prentice Hall Travel
MELKWEG, Lijnbaansgracht 234a (telephone 24 17 77). Probably Amsterdam's most famous entertainment venue, and these days one of the city's prime arts centers with a young, hip clientele at odds with Melkweg's erstwhile hoppy image. Its theater space serves as an outlet for small, inventive international groups, virtually all of which perform in English, and the concert hall plays host to a broad range of bands, with the emphasis on African music and lesser-knowns. Later, on Friday and Saturday nights, excellent, offbeat disco sessions go on well into the small hours - admission f2.50 after 1am. Other features include a fine monthly film program, a tea room, selling dope and space cake (hash brownies), and a bar and restaurant (Marnixstraat entrance) open weekdays 11am- 7:30pm, for 2pm on weekends. Otherwise, concerts begin around 10:30pm and admission ranges from f7.50 - f25. Those visiting more than once should buy a 'reductiekaart' (f5) valid for three months and giving a worthwhile discount on admission.

ELMI AS; AHMED YH; SAMATAR MS
Experience in the control of khat-chewing in Somalia.
Bull Narc. 1987. 39(2). P 51-7.
The chewing of the leaves of the plant called khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is a common habit in some countries of East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Khat-chewing has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, which is the reason for the widespread abuse of this plant. From the mid-1960s to the early 1980s, khat-chewing spread from the limited area of the north-western part of Somalia to the whole country, assuming epidemic proportions. Khat-chewing was recognized as a real national problem with adverse consequences for the health and socio-economic development of the country. A law prohibiting the use, importation, cultivation and trade of khat was enacted in 1983, and it has been strongly enforced by a comprehensive national programme that has mobilized the whole country to achieve its objectives. Committees to co-ordinate action on khat control were established at the national, regional and local levels. An information and education campaign through the use of the mass media has been carried out to support the national programme. After the successes achieved in the enforcement of the prohibition law, the national autorities, hampered by a shortage of financial resources, have had major difficulties in providing farmers with adequate compensation for damage caused to them by the destruction of khat plantations. Difficulties were also experienced in coping with the unemployment of those who were involved in the khat business and in establishing the recreational facilities needed to provide healthy social alternatives to khat-chewing sessions. These difficulties have only been partly solved.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

ELMI AS
The chewing of khat in Somalia.
J Ethnopharmacol. 1983 Aug. 8(2). P 163-76.
Khat (Catha edulis Forsk.), known in Somalia as 'qaad' or 'jaad', is a plant whose leaves and stem tips are chewed for their stimulating effect. From the Harar area, khathas been introduced at different times into the present day territories of Somalia, Djibouti, South and North Yemen, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania and down to south eastern Africa. The plant, which belongs to the Celestraceae family, grows wild at altitudes of 1500-2000 m above sea level. Among the various compounds present in the plant (more than forty alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, terpenoids,etc.), two phenylalkylamines, namely cathine [+)-norpseudoephedrine) and cathinone [-)S-o-aminopropiophenone) seem to account mostly for the effect. The consumers get a feeling of well-being, mental alertness and excitement. The after effects are usually insomnia, numbness and concentration. The excessive use of khat may create considerable problems of social, health and economic nature. These problems have been summarily reviewed. Khat chewing started at different times in different parts of Somalia. Since World War II, the prevalence of the practice has continuously increased and no social group is excluded. An epidemiological research to compare Northern and Southern regions of Somalia and to obtain a rough estimate of prevalence, definition of social characteristics of the groups of consumers, specification of the motivations, patterns of use and effects during and after consumption has been conducted. Consumers and non-consumers (7485 people) were randomly interviewed in the two regions. Khat consumption in relation to sex, age, occupation and grade of education is presented.

FERNEX M; JAQUET C; MITTELHOLZER ML; REBER R; STURCHLER D
Neue Medikamente fur die Behandlung der Malaria tropica. [Current drugs for the treatment of tropical malaria]
Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax. 1991 Jan 22; 80(4): 67-71
The occurrence in the early 60's of stable resistance to chloroquine among Plasmodium falciparum strains in the Amazonas and on the Thai-Cambodian border has been a shock for all malariologists. This led to the search for new antimalarials without cross resistance with chloroquine. For each new drug, one of the major concerns was to define how rapidly parasites would develop resistance to this compound. Drug combinations were taken into consideration so as to achieve a delay in the appearance of resistance. The decision to test a triple combination has led to the development of Fansimef, a fixed combination with tablets containing 250 mg mefloquine, 500 mg sulfadoxine and 25 mg pyrimethamine. A very relevant delay in the development of resistance was found both in-vivo--in the P. berghei model--and in-vitro using P. falciparum. Fansimef has also been under investigations for malaria. Controlled clinical trials were performed in Africa, South America and South East Asia. The documentation for this new indication will be submitted to registration authorities in 1991. A preference alternative to continuous chemoprophylaxis is stand-by malaria treatment for travellers to regions where the malaria risk is relatively low. Stand-by treatment is under investigations in France and in Switzerland. In the search for alternative remedies against drug resistant P. falciparum malaria our attention was directed to Yingzhaosu, a new sesquiterpene peroxide of plant origin from traditional Chinese medicine. A short and convenient synthesis of this ring system gave access to a variety of structural analogues of Yingzhaosu. ...

FULLER T C; MCLINTOCK E
Peganum harmala
Poisonous Plants of California University of California Press, Berkeley R58169
Peganum harmala African Rue, Syrian Rue, Common Harmel. Shrub native to the Mediterranean region and eastward to northern India, Mongolia, and Manchuria, where it is sold as a commercial spice and used in folk medicine The seeds contain several beta-carboline or indole alkaloids: harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine Reports regarding its use as a hallucinogen are vague, and there is some question whether it actually induces visions Peganum harmala is a serious agricultural weed and very difficult to control; it is illegal to grow it in California

GEISSHUSLER S; BRENNEISEN R
The content of psychoactive phenylpropyl and phenylpentenyl khatamines in Catha edulis Forsk. of different origin.
J Ethnopharmacol. 1987 May. 19(3). P 269-77.
Khat, the leaves of Catha edulis Forsk. (Celastraceae), is widely used as a stimulant in East Africa and the Arab Peninsula. Samples from the most important markets of Ethiopia, Kenya, North Yemen and Madagascar were analysed with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) concerning their khatamine content (phenylpropyl and phenylpentenylamines). The variability of khatamines depending on origin, type and quality is discussed. In many samples a good correlation between the amount of cathinone, the main CNS-active compound, and quality estimation (price) of dealers and consumers was found.

GRANEK M; SHALEV A; WEINGARTEN AM
Khat-induced hypnagogic hallucinations.
Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1988 Oct. 78(4). P 458-61.
Khat is a plant whose leaves are chewed for their stimulating effect. This effect is attributed to cathinone, an alkaloid identical to dextroamphetamine. Khat chewing is widespread among eastern African and Yemenite populations and is believed to be innocuous. Our experience shows, however, that a substantial number of chronic khat chewers experience persistent hypnagogic hallucinations - a symptom that has not yet been described. Three vignettes illustrates this phenomena, which often interferes with psychiatric diagnosis. Different explanatory models are discussed, among them chronic suppression of REM sleep.

Hodgin, Deanna
Seeking cures in the jungle. (rain forests as sources of medicinal plants for the pharmaceutical industry)
Insight. v7 Oct 7 '91 p30(2)
Shaman Pharmaceuticals focuses its biotechnological research on developing drugs from medicinal plants found in rain forests in South America, Asia and Africa. Company president Lisa Conte advocates the role ethnobotany in the pharmaceutical industry.

JOHNS T; DUQUETTE M
Detoxification and mineral supplementation as functions of geophagy.
Am J Clin Nutr. 1991 Feb; 53(2): 448-56
Clays employed historically in the consumption of astringent acorns plus seven edible clays from Africa were examined in relation to the functional significance of human geophagy. On the basis of sorptive maxima for tannic acid ranging from 5.6 to 23.7 mg/g, we conclude that adsorption of tannic acid in traditional acorn preparation methods in California and Sardinia helped make these nuts palatable. Calcium available in solution at pH 2.0 and 0.1 mol NaCl/L was 2.10 and 0.71 mg/g for the Sardinian and Californian clays, respectively. The African clays released calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, or zinc in amounts of nutritional significance from some clays but not from others. A clay recovered from an archaeological site occupied by Homo erectus and early H. sapiens was indistinguishable mineralogically, in detoxification capacity and in available minerals, from clays used in Africa today. We suggest that the physiological significance of geophagy made it important in the evolution of human dietary behavior.

KALIX P
Cathinone, a natural amphetamine.
Pharmacol Toxicol. 1992 Feb. 70(2). P 77-86.
Cathinone is an alkaloid that has been discovered some fifteen years ago in the leaves of the khat bush. This plant grows in East Africa and in southern Arabia, and the inhabitants of these regions frequently chew khat because of its stimulating properties. Cathinone, which is S(-)-alpha-aminopropiophenone, was soon found to have a pharmacological profile closely resembling that of amphetamine; indeed, in a wide variety of in vitro and in vivo experiments it was demonstrated that cathinone shares the action of amphetamine on CNS as well as its sympathomimetic effects; thus, for example, drug-conditioned animals will not distinguish between cathinone and amphetamine. These various observations were confirmed by a clinical experiment showing that cathinone also in humans produces amphetamine-like objective and subjective effects. Finally, it was demonstrated that cathinone operates through the same mechanism as amphetamine, i.e. it acts by releasing catecholamines from presynaptic storage sites. Thus, much experimental evidence indicates that cathinone is the main psychoactive constituent of the khat leaf and that, in fact, this alkaloid is a natural amphetamine. Refs: 70.

KALIX P
The pharmacology of psychoactive alkaloids from ephedra and catha.
J Ethnopharmacol. 1991 Apr. 32(1-3). P 201-8.
Ever since the introduction of the alkaloid ephedrine as an anti-asthmatic, the CNS stimulatory effects of this sympathomimetic have been a problem in therapy. Indeed, the use of ephedrine is not only limited by its cardiovascular effects, but also by the occurrence of insomnia, restlessness and anxiety. Exceptionally, ephedrine may even induce toxic psychosis, and the possibility of this side effect has recently received renewed attention. Besides ephedrine, the ephedra plant contains some norpseudoephedrine. This substance is also called cathine, because it is a major alkaloid of Catha edulis or khat, a plant that is widely used as a stimulant in certain countries of East Africa and of the Arab Peninsula. The effects of khat have been explained formerly by those of cathine; some time ago, however, the labile alkaloid cathinone was discovered in khat. This substance is the keto-analog of cathine; it is therefore more lipophilic and penetrates easily to its sites of action in the central nervous system. Indeed, cathinone has been found to be a highly potent CNS stimulant and it is now known to be the main psychoactive constituent of khat; the results of various in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that cathinone must be considered a natural amphetamine. In confirmation of this view, it has recently been demonstrated that cathinone has in humans marked anti-asthmatic, the CNS stimulatory effects of this sympathomimetic have euphorigenic and psychostimulant effects. As the case may be, these findings may lead, together with epidemiological data, to a reconsideration of the use of khat as a stimulant and social drug. Refs:55.

KALIX P
Khat: a plant with amphetamine effects [see comments]
J Subst Abuse Treat. 1988. 5(3). P 163-9.
The chewing of leaves of the khat shrub is common in certain countries of East Africa and the Arabian peninsula, and some khat users are subject to psychic dependence on this stimulant. Recently, important progress has been made in understanding the pharmacological basis for the effects of khat. It is now known that the CNS stimulation is mainly due to the presence of the alkaloid cathinone in the leaves, and the results of various in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that this substance must be considered a 'natural amphetamine.' In recent years, several cases of khat intoxication observed in the USA and in Great Britain have been described in the literature. In view of these developments, the khat habit and its health effects are described, and the possibilities for the treatment of acute khat intoxication are discussed. Refs: 50.

KALIX P
Pharmacological properties of the stimulant khat.
Pharmacol Ther. 1990. 48(3). P 397-416.
The chewing of the stimulant leaf khat is a habit that is widespread in certain countries of East Africa and the Arabian peninsula. During the last decade, important progress has been made in understanding the pharmacological basis for the effects of khat. It is now known that the CNS action of this drug is due to the presence of the alkaloid cathinone, and the results of various in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that this substance must be considered a natural amphetamine. It is the purpose of the present review to describe briefly the khat habit and to summarize the pharmacology of khat and of its active constituents. Refs: 215.

KALIX P
Recent advances in khat research.
Alcohol Alcohol. 1984. 19(4). P 319-23.
Khat leaves are widely used as a stimulant in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula and the effect of the material was formerly believed to be due to its content of norpseudoephedrine. Recently, however, a new alkaloid, cathinone, has been discovered in khat, and this substance was found to be a potent compound with a pharmacological profile closely resembling that of amphetamine. It was also found that cathinone has the same mechanism of action as amphetamine, i.e. that it causes release at physiological catecholamine storage sites. The present report summarizes the pharmacology of cathinone and shows that this alkaloid must be considered to be the main active constituent of khat. Refs: 42.

KALIX, PETER
Cathinone, an alkaloid from khat leaves with an amphetamine-like releasing effect.
Psychopharmacology; 1981 Jul Vol 74(3) 269-270
Leaves of the khat plant, widely used as a stimulant in East Africa and the Arab Peninsula, contain the alkaloid levocathinone (LC). The effects of LC on the efflux of radioactivity from rabbit striatal slices prelabeled with 3H-dopamine were examined. Low concentrations of LC enhanced the release of radioactivity in a dose-dependent manner and were capable of sustaining the enhanced release induced by dextroamphetamine (DA). Pretreatment of the tissue with cocaine, which is known to prevent the induction of release by DA, inhibited the efflux increase caused by LC. These observations suggest that amphetamine and the active principle of khat leaves have an analogous mechanism of action.

KASONIA, K.; ANSAY, M.; GUSTIN, P.; PLUME, C.
Plants used in ethnomedicine for asthma in Kivu
Belgian Journal of Botany, v 126 pp. 20-28 ( 1993), Tanzania
Medicine, African Traditional / Medicinal plants / Allergy and immunology, Asthma
. African Index Medicus

KASONIA, K.; BASEGERE, N.; KABA, S.; MATAMBA, M.; KATSONGERI, M.
Vulnerary and anti-inflammatory plants used in traditional veterinary medicine in eastern Zaire
Belgian Journal of Botany, v 124 pp. 40-46 ( 1991), Zaire, Kivu
Medicine, African Traditional / Veterinary medicine / Plants, Medicinal
. African Index Medicus

KINGSBURG
Peganum harmala
Poisonous Plants of the United States and Canada
Peganum harmala L., African rue. DESCRIPTION: Bright green, succulent, much-branched perennial herb bushy in habitat, about 1 ft tall when fully grown. Leaves alternate, pinnate or twice pinnately divided; ultimate segments linear, fleshy, glabrous. Flowers single, white, consipicuous; petals 5. Fruit a 2- to 4- cavitied many-seeded leathery capsule, about 3/8 inch in diameter. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: This species is native to the deserts of Africa and southern Asia. It was first recognized in the United States on a section of land near Deming, New Mexico in 1935 and has since spread on dry range land into Arizona and western Texas. POISONOUS PRINCIPLE: Alkaloids extracted from African rue have proven toxic to laboratory animals, producing the same symptoms as observed when the whole seed was fed. The seeds of the plant have been shown to contain at least 4 alkaloids, of which three have the indole configuration. TOXICITY, SYMPTOMS AND LESIONS: Cattle loss on the range where this plant was first recognized prompted its investigation as a poisonous plant. Experimental studies have been performed at the Texas and New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Stations and by the United States Department of Agriculture. The ground seed is almost always lethal to guinea pigs at 0.15 percent of the animal's weight. young leaves were toxic at 1 per cent, dry-weight basis, but older leaves seemed to lack toxicity. In guinea pigs the symptoms consisted of posterior paralysis and weakness of back muscles, appearing within half an hour of feeding, and lasting for several hours. No lesions of significance were found. African rue is highly unpalatable to cattle, but if force-fed, it is lethal. Sheep have been observed to eat the plant after it had dried under range conditions, but experimentally they could not be forced voluntarily to consume hay made from it.

MASSELE, A.Y.; LUKINDO, G.I.S.; FULGENCE, J.
The pharmacological actions of a crude aqueous extract of khat (MIRAA) on rabbit's duodenum and heart in vitro
Tanzania Medical Journal, v 7(1) pp. 24-26 ( 1992),
Narcotics / Gastrointestinal system / / Cardiovascular system
In this study a crude aqueous extract from fresh leaves and twigs of khat (Miraa) was investigated for its effects in vitro on rabbit's doudenum and perfused heart preparation. There was a significant reduction in spontaneous contraction of the duodenum in the presence of increasing doses of khat extracts. On the rabbit's heart, khat caused an inhibition of spontaneous contractions. It is therefore suggested that chronic habitual abuse of khat may predispose to gastrointestinal and cardiovascular problems in human subjects. . African Index Medicus

NDOSI, N.K.
Cannabis and its health-damaging effects
The Dar es Salaam Medical Journal, v 10(2) pp. 10-12 ( 1993), Niger
CANNABIS / CANNABINOIDS / MARIJUANA ABUSE / MARIJUANA SMOKING / SUBSTANCE ABUSE / HEALTH PROMOTION / ADOLESCENT BEHAVIOR
Cannabis is derived from the plant Cannabis sativa. Bhang or marijuana might be the cheapest and most readily available form of cannabis abused mainly by adolescents and young adults in Tanzania, but concrete data is lacking. Some of the drug abusers are mentally unstable individuals who lack self criticism and adequate self restraint. When bhang is smoked, cannabinoids are readily absorbed from the lung and bound by the grey matter of the brain. Cannabinoids are psychoactive ingredients which cause complex behavioural changes with stimulant and depressed properties. This article therefore, aims at raising more awareness concerning the health-damaging consequences of bhang abuse. . African Index Medicus

OGUNGBAMILA FO; SAMUELSSON G
Smooth muscle relaxing flavonoids from Alchornea cordifolia.
Acta Pharm Nord. 1990; 2(6): 421-2
Alchornea cordifolia (Schum. & Thonn.) Muell. Arg. (Euphobiaceae) is widely distributed throughout tropical Africa, where it is used extensively in traditional medicine. Conditions for which the plant has enjoyed wide use are: coughs, gonorrhoea, yaws, ulcer, rheumatic pains, fever and bronchial troubles. This paper reports isolation of smooth muscle relaxing flavonoids from the leaves of the plant.

PANTELIS C; HINDLER CG; TAYLOR JC
Use and abuse of khat (Catha edulis): a review of the distribution, pharmacology, side effects and a description of psychosis attributed to khat chewing.
Psychol Med. 1989 Aug. 19(3). P 657-68.
There have been relatively few reported cases of psychosis due to khat usage despite its heavy consumption in certain East African and Arabian countries. Four cases have been reported in the UK. We report here on three further cases of psychotic reactions to this substance in Somalian males, and emphasize the need to be aware of khat as a potential substance of abuse, with both medical and psychiatric complications. The features of khat psychoses are described and the relationship to amphetamine and ephedrine psychoses is discussed. The forensic aspects of two of the cases which involved homicide and combined homicide and suicide are highlighted, as is the possible role of social dislocation from the culture of origin. Refs: 76.

Pope, Jr., Harrison G.
Tabernanthe iboga: an African Narcotic Plant of Social Importance.
Economic Botany 23:174-184. (1969)

SADIO, B.; HASSOUMI, D.; IDI, K.
Prise en charge des malades toxicomanes au service de psychiatrie de l'Hpital National de Niamey
Niger Mdical, v 00 pp. 11-18 ( 1993), Zaire
Substance abuse, in adolescence / Susbtance abuse, epidemiology / Adolescent psychiatry / Social conditions
Cette tude rtrospective de 224 dossiers colligs de janvier 1986 dcembre 1991 ressort les diffrentes pathologies psychiatriques induites par l'usage et l'abus des drogues au Niger. Sur le plan pidmiologique et social l'accent est mis sur la prdominance masculine des jeunes avec un pic entre 21-30 ans. Les principaux facteurs qui conduisent la prise des drogues sont : les travaux pnibles des champs, l'exode, l'appartenance un groupe particulier et la recherche d'un enrichissement personnel . African Index Medicus

SADIO, B.; MAMANE, S.; HASSOUMI, D.; IDI, K.
Les drogues au Niger
Niger Mdical, v 00 pp. 6-10 ( 1993), Niger
Substance abuse / Plants, toxic
Face au nombre chaque anne important de toxicomanes enregistrs dans le service de psychiatrie de l'Hpital National de Niamey, il est livr, aprs une enqute extra-hospitalire, les diffrents toximanogines licites et illicites qui circulent au Niger. Par ailleurs, avec l'aide d'un botaniste de la Facult des Sciences, toutes les plantes psychotropes qui poussent dans ce pays et que les Nigriens utilisent depuis toujours sont cites ici . African Index Medicus

SENAY EC
Drug abuse and public health. A global perspective.
Drug Saf. 1991; 6 Suppl 1: 1-65
During the past 20 years there has been a substantial increase in the data available on the prevalence and consequences of the use of drugs which are liable to abuse. The body of data is sufficiently scientific, comprehensive and global in scope to enable an overall profile of the use patterns of these drugs to be drawn in this review. The studies evaluated include those which surveyed populations of hundreds, thousands, or even more, covering a range of common drugs of abuse and using specified research methods. The data are summarised for North America, Europe, Asia and the West Pacific, Africa and South America. A complex picture has emerged, confounded by an array of factors, which this review does not address in detail, such as youth alienation, the changing role of women and the increasing sophistication of criminal networks. From a global perspective, the evidence reviewed from the various regions indicates that the use of drugs with liability for abuse is widespread and associated with public health and social problems of great magnitude. The major set of problems appears to be related to primary pattern drugs such as alcohol, nicotine, cannabis and the opioids. Cocaine may also be a worldwide threat in view of the problems it has created in some regions. Drug abuse usually starts in adolescence, and both sexes now appear to be involved where in the recent past it was predominantly men who were affected. The concurrent use of multiple substances is now becoming the modal pattern, and drug-related problems correlate with one another and with somatic, psychiatric and social pathology. Opioid use now tends to be via intravenous administration, and the doses of cannabis and cocaine base which are used are increasing. Substances with therapeutic effects on DSM-III-R diagnosable disorders, such as antidepressants and benzodiazepines, require careful consideration by policymakers because the risk:benefit ratio is different to that of primary-pattern intoxicants, especially taking into consideration the broad and proven therapeutic use of these substances and the need for their availability for patients and physicians. In conclusion, the data presented in this review indicate that the scientific description of trends and consequences of drug abuse is an indispensable first step in rational policy making. The review also identifies areas for further study and research.

SIMON C
Innovative medicine--a case study of a modern healer.
S Afr Med J. 1991 Jun 1; 79(11): 677-8
African healing is widely regarded as inflexible and unchanging. By way of a case study, it is suggested that this is no longer the reality. Instead, the healer emerges as highly innovative in his quest to attract a steady clientele. A Xhosa healer, who borrows numerous medical items and symbols from his Western counterparts, is described.

SOLOMONS K; NEPPE VM; KUYL JM
Toxic cannabis psychosis is a valid entity.
S Afr Med J. 1990 Oct 20; 78(8): 476-81
One hundred black men admitted to hospital with acute psychiatric symptoms were investigated for the presence of urinary cannabis metabolites in order to delineate the psychiatric role played by 'dagga', the potent South African cannabinol, in the study population and to determine the diagnostic value of the entity 'toxic psychosis (dagga)'. Cannabinoids were present in 29% of patients, and 31% were discharged with a diagnosis of toxic psychosis (dagga). Clinical and demographic material was gathered for all patients and no consistent differences were found between dagga-positive and dagga-negative patients or toxic dagga psychotic patients and 'functional' psychotics other than a history of recent dagga use and the dagga screening test result. The latter measure was found to be both more sensitive and more specific than the history of dagga use alone. The findings support the routine use of a simple screening test for dagga in the sample population studied. The study demonstrated the heterogeneous nature of the toxic dagga psychosis syndrome by documenting a variety of different clinical presentations, which included schizophrenia (42%), paranoia (26%), maniform psychosis (16%) and organic psychosis (16%).

STAUGAARD F
Role of traditional health workers in prevention and control of AIDS in Africa.
Trop Doct. 1991 Jan; 21(1): 22-4
[NO ABSTRACT] traditional healing Africa

THORDSTEIN M; JANSSON T; KRISTIANSSON B
Cerebral function of the guinea pig neonate after chronic intrauterine exposure to khat (Catha edulis Forsk.).
Biol Neonate. 1991. 59(3). P 161-70.
Cerebral function in normoxia and its reactions to standard periods of hypoxia of increasing severity were studied in 30 newborn guinea pigs less than 3 days old. Intrauterine growth retardation was induced either by uterine artery ligation at midgestation or by feeding the female in late gestation with khat leaves, an amphetamine-like stimulant chewed by men and women in several countries in eastern Africa and Arabia. After spontaneous delivery, the neonates were anesthetized and ventilated. Cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurophysiologic (somatosensory evoked potentials) parameters were monitored. Under normoxia, the khat-exposed group showed prolonged latency of the primary response of the somatosensory evoked potentials and a reduced amount of secondary components. Under hypoxia, this group also has a greater reduction of amplitude of the somatosensory evoked potentials. It is concluded that khat exposure during fetal life has an impact on the cerebral functhat during the neonatal period (at least up to 3 days of age) which is not solely explained by the concomitantly produced growth retardation.

WATT,JM: BREYER-BRANDWIJK,MG
The Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of Southern and Eastern Africa.2nd Ed, E.+s. Livingstone,ltd.,london.
Book : - (1962) English

African Ape Site Floral Lists at the University of Wisconsin offers a list of plant species and the parts observed to be eaten by African apes. The list includes genera and species known to be psychoactive, such as Psychotria, Mytragyna, Tabernanthe, Tabernaemontana, Ipomoea, Alchornea, Cannabis, Mimosa and Pausinystalia (Cornanthe) johimbe. A good resource for pursuing cryptohallucinogens through primate zoopharmacognosy. African Ape Sites Floral Lists--An Introduction Kahuzi-Beiga National Park, Zaire (Chimpanzees and Gorillas) Lope Reserve, Gabon (Chimpanzees and Gorillas) Nouabale-Ndoki Forest, Congo (Chimpanzees and Gorillas) Ugalla--Tongwe East Forest Reserve, Tanzania (Chimpanzees) Wamba Forest, Zaire (Bonobos)

African Index Medicus is a searchable database of abstracts to papers published in African medical journals. Topics include: Cannabis, Khat, drug policy, and substance abuse.