Further research required to determine link between khat consumption and driver impairment.

A Further research required to determine link between khat consumption and driver impairment We read with interest the recent paper by Eckersley et al. on khat use and driver impairment in Ethiopia. 1 The paper highlighted the increasing concern about the association between khat use and traffic accidents with drivers using khat to stay awake and alert. However, much of the information provided was anecdotal and, as yet, there is no clear evidence of a causal relationship between the use of khat and traffic accidents. Recent research we have undertaken in Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, Australia, suggests that east African migrants have brought with them the habit of consuming khat while working to stay awake and alert. Through our observations and discussions we identified that east African taxi drivers in Melbourne currently use khat for this purpose. The increase in migration to Austra-lia from east Africa over the past two decades , together with improved transport facilities, have led to the importation and use of khat in Australia, predominantly by east African community members. 2 In Victoria, individuals with a licence and permit can import up to five kilograms of khat per month for personal use. Within east African migrant communities in Melbourne there is a community divide on the issue of khat use and its effects on khat users and their communities. Concerns have been raised by some east African community members that khat use has increased substantially and that it is leading to family breakdowns, economic hardship and health problems. 3 To understand these issues further, we conducted an exploratory qualitative study with 29 members of Melbourne's east African communities; some of whom reported chewing khat and some of whom were opposed to khat use. 4 Most of our khat-chewing participants reported that one of the main reasons for using the drug was to improve concentration while studying or working. Several participants worked as taxi drivers or had friends who drive taxis and admitted that they themselves or their friends chewed khat on the job to help them stay awake during their shift. However, in our open-ended interviews there was no mention, positive or negative, of the effect of khat consumption on an individual's ability to drive. Our research did not produce any evidence to suggest a causal relationship between the use of khat and driver impairment. While some east Africans in Mel-bourne have reported concerns …