Ketamine

Low doses of ketamine can make users feel euphoric and energetic. It can also cause hallucinations, in addition to its effects on reducing bodily sensation. High doses reportedly thrust the user into an out-of-body or near-death experience.

High doses of ketamine can suppress breathing and heart function which may lead to unconsciousness. Long-term use may impair the memory, as well as damaging kidneys and internal organs. Reports published in the British Medical Journal suggest a link between ketamine and severe urological problems. Due to the anaesthetising effects users can unknowingly injure themselves whilst using the drug. A 2007 study by the Lancet ranked ketamine as being more harmful than both cannabis and ecstasy.

Medically used ketamine is usually found in a liquid form, but when illegally produced it can be found in both powder and tablet form. The ‘normal’ dose for snorting ketamine is reported to be around 60-100mg. A 2008 British crime survey revealed that it was the fastest growing ‘party drug’ amongst 16-24 year olds, with an estimated 125,000 users in the UK. Ketamine use is also popular in Asia, and in 2008 it was listed as the most abused drug in Hong Kong.

Ketamine is more commonly known as a strong tranquiliser but is increasingly being used on the club scene. According to a DrugScope Survey performed in 2008, the availability of ketamine on the illegal market has not been affected by the government making the drug Class C in 2006.

Ketamine is sometimes mixed with amphetamine or methamphetamines and falsely sold as ecstasy tablets in order to command a higher price. A 2003-2006 study in Japan found that out of 420 tablets seized by police, ketamine was present in 8% of ‘ecstasy’ tablets.

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