Health Ministry Warns ‘Gat Drops’ Contain Methamphetamine

Israel’s Health Ministry warned on November 8 that laboratory tests had detected methamphetamine in seized products marketed as “Gat Drops.” The ministry and Israel Police said drugs had been identified being marketed and distributed under the guise of that product. The warning followed work by police and the ministry’s Enforcement and Supervision Division. The authorities described methamphetamine as a dangerous synthetic drug with a high potential for addiction. They warned that “its consumption can be life-threatening.” Their statement said presenting a dangerous drug as an apparently natural product exposes consumers to significant health risks. People may consume the drug without knowing what the product contains. The laboratory finding concerns the products seized and tested, which the statement identifies as containing methamphetamine. The joint statement also addressed the legal status of preparations containing substances from the khat plant. It said such extracts and preparations, including drops, drinks and capsules, fall under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, and that their consumption, marketing and production are prohibited. The ministry and police urged the public to avoid buying or consuming products marketed as khat-derived, including “Gat Drops.” They also asked people who suspect such products are being marketed or distributed to report that information to enforcement authorities.