Rave drug Ketamine targeted for reclassification

The drug Ketamine, a horse tranquilliser that was used to treat soldiers in Vietnam, is being taken recreationally by more and more young people, according to a recent report.

The drug—which can be swallowed or injected—was previously considered a drug for ravers, but it has increasingly been taken up as the party drug of choice due to its low classification, cheap price, and perception that it is safer and "cleaner" than other drugs.

Known colloquially as as "special K" or "raver’s smack," the popularity of the sedative has almost doubled over the last decade – from around 60,000 users in 1998 to an estimated 113,000 in 2008. Increased usage of the drug has been reported in Portsmouth, London, Bristol, Ipswich, Birmingham, Nottingham, Sheffield, Blackpool and Newcastle. Individuals have also posted videos of themselves using the drug on you tube.

"Evidence of young people using ketamine is a particular concern, especially as many users may underestimate the risks involved. Ketamine's harm increases considerably at high doses and injecting users risk exposure to blood-borne viruses such as Hepatitis C or HIV,” said Martin Barnes, chief executive of the public body DrugScope.

Professor David Nutt, chairman of the government’s drug advisory panel, ranked it as the sixth most dangerous illegal drug on the market, overtaking ecstasy and cannabis.

One user, a 27-year-old marketing executive who takes the drug once a week said: "I see it as a fun, sociable drug. It makes you feel anaesthetised to your worries. You forget about your normal life and everything is euphoric. Sometimes I've had bad trips, but I've never felt angry when on ketamine. I think it is a lot safer too.”

However, the physical effects of the drug can cause heart and lung failure, with 23 recorded deaths between 1993 and 2006.  Ketamine was classified as a Class C substance in January 2006, while cannabis has been reclassified as Class B.