VOA标准英语2012--Somalis, Yemenis Face US Prosecution for Khat

Somalis, Yemenis Face US Prosecution¹ for Khat

Khat is chewed in social settings around the Arabian Peninsula and Horn of Africa. It is legal in Somalia and Yemen, and in Britain and the Netherlands, but not in the United States.

Khat's green leaves and branches contain cathinone, a stimulant² known to produce a mild high but considered a serious drug under U.S. federal law.

Grant Smith with the Drug Policy Alliance says the government overreacted.

"When people have taken a look at khat, they have found that it is really just a mild stimulant," said Smith. "It is akin³ to a couple of cups of coffee or some energy drinks. And while there may be some long term health effects from using it, that doesn't mean we should criminalize people who use it."

But some believe khat is addictive⁴ and often leads to child abuse and domestic violence as depicted⁵ in this film by the Minneapolis based organization Somali Cause.

"So, they stay up for maybe a day or two or so," noted⁶ Mohamed Hassan works with Somali Cause. "And then once they start feeling the sleepiness, then they crash for two or three days. So there you can see that person cannot really be productive."

Drug policy reform advocates argue that prosecuting⁷ people for khat is a waste of public resources. They say the use of khat should be treated as a public health issue. 

"We should have a reasonable response that is based on public education, that looks at health, the health effects that is reality-based education," Smith added. "And not respond to the typical sort of response we usually have to drugs which is to criminalize first and ask questions later."

Smith says people are less likely to seek help for khat use if using it is a crime. But Mohamed Hassan says khat is not a recreational stimulant that can be used within reason.

"I do think strongly that it is addictive. I mean it makes people go beyond their means. Obviously, it is not helping⁸ them," said Hassan.

Hassan says khat use is not very common in the Somali-American community. Attorneys for the 13 defendants⁹ say the case stems from concerns that smuggled¹⁰ khat is being used to fund terrorism, but that no evidence of that has turned up in court. 

1 prosecution   

n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营

参考例句：

• The Smiths brought a prosecution against the organizers.史密斯家对组织者们提出起诉。
• He attempts to rebut the assertion made by the prosecution witness.他试图反驳原告方证人所作的断言。

2 stimulant   

n.刺激物，兴奋剂

参考例句：

• It is used in medicine for its stimulant quality.由于它有兴奋剂的特性而被应用于医学。
• Musk is used for perfume and stimulant.麝香可以用作香料和兴奋剂。

3 akin   

adj.同族的，类似的

参考例句：

• She painted flowers and birds pictures akin to those of earlier feminine painters.她画一些同早期女画家类似的花鸟画。
• Listening to his life story is akin to reading a good adventure novel.听他的人生故事犹如阅读一本精彩的冒险小说。

4 addictive   

adj.(吸毒等)使成瘾的，成为习惯的

参考例句：

• The problem with video game is that they're addictive.电子游戏机的问题在于它们会使人上瘾。
• Cigarettes are highly addictive.香烟很容易使人上瘾。

5 depicted   

描绘，描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 )； 描述

参考例句：

• Other animals were depicted on the periphery of the group. 其他动物在群像的外围加以修饰。
• They depicted the thrilling situation to us in great detail. 他们向我们详细地描述了那激动人心的场面。

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 prosecuting   

检举、告发某人( prosecute的现在分词 )； 对某人提起公诉； 继续从事（某事物）； 担任控方律师

参考例句：

• The witness was cross-examined by the prosecuting counsel. 证人接受控方律师的盘问。
• Every point made by the prosecuting attorney was telling. 检查官提出的每一点都是有力的。

8 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

9 defendants   

被告( defendant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The courts heard that the six defendants had been coerced into making a confession. 法官审判时发现6位被告人曾被迫承认罪行。
• As in courts, the defendants are represented by legal counsel. 与法院相同，被告有辩护律师作为代表。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件

10 smuggled   

水货

参考例句：

• The customs officer confiscated the smuggled goods. 海关官员没收了走私品。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Those smuggled goods have been detained by the port office. 那些走私货物被港务局扣押了。 来自互联网