Qat, a reflection of Yemen society?

When Tony Horwitz speaks of qat chewing, it represents a negative part of their main stream culture. At this point in time Yemen's society is unstable and what keeps it unstable can pertain to the amount qat chewing that takes place in the society. If the people are more willing to spend time sitting chewing qat rather working to improve their lifestyle. It is the society's own fault for it's poor disposition. The time they absorb to sit and chew qat and feel a high could be time that they use to help inspire their country, to help bring it together. Instead they sit and get high, it is almost like the people would rather get high then improve their life. Also the amount of money they spend on qat could be used to help feed their families and put them in a better living situation. It is understandable to have leisure time if there was nothing to do, but yet Yemen has so much to do. Qat can be what is taking away from getting it done. The fact that getting high is held to such a high standard makes me question the society, and what they actually want to achieve.