Services Database Khat Service – Pilot (Birmingham Area)

BME research carried out by KIKIT-PWR (2012), in conjunction with Birmingham Public Health (2013) needs assessment identified increasing concern over Khat usage in the Birmingham B11 postcode area in Somali and Yemeni communities. Identified concerns included health related harm to the individual and problems with dysfunctional family units, similar to issues around alcohol misuse.

Birmingham Local Pharmaceutical Committee secured funding from Birmingham Public Health to organise an implement a pilot project to the ascertain the community acceptance of a brief intervention and harm minimisation advice through community pharmacies in the B11 postcode area.

Birmingham Local Pharmaceutical Committee commissioned Pathways to Recovery (PWR) to deliver a three month pilot project working in partnership with the community pharmacists within the Birmingham B11 area, to provide brief intervention and harm minimisation advice, with additional healthy lifestyle advice to Khat users.

As part of the pilot pharmacists were trained by KIKIT Pathways to Recovery.

The aim of the training was to increase knowledge and awareness and promote harm minimisation techniques as well as to develop a referral pathway into treatment for Khat users. The training prepared pharmacists and front line staff to provide information, advice and brief interventions to Khat users their carers and families.

Service users who required further assistance in combating their Khat addiction were referred for a full assessment into treatment to KIKIT-PWR.

Not known.