Qat scratch fever?
June 3, 2008 – 11:49 am135. Washington, D. C. cops crack down on qat users, arresting dozens of people and seizing 30 pounds of the mildly stimulating plant commonly found in Africa and the Middle East.
The next night, seven people are murdered in “a spasm of violence” in the eastern part of the District, bringing the total number of murders in D. C. for 2008 to 72.
No, these events probably aren’t related. But see how much the cops care for their citizens’ safety? Assistant Police Chief Diane Groomes:
“We do not want to kick off the summer like this. We need to get the guns out of people’s hands.“
And the qat, too! Just think of the carnage that might have erupted had they left those wild-eyed qat chewers loose on the streets.