Whatis ketamine? marijuana or tobacco. As a powder the depression, delirium, amnesia, drug is snorted or pressed into tablets— impaired motor function, high blood Ketamine is an anesthetic that is often in combination with other drugs pressure, and potentially fatal respira- abused for its hallucinogenic proper- such as 3,4-methylenedioxymetham- tory problems. ties. Its predominant legitimate use is phetamine (MDMA, also known as In addition to the risks associated as a veterinary anesthetic; however, it ecstasy). As a liquid, ketamine is injected; with ketamine itself, individuals who has been approved for use with both it often is injected intramuscularly. animals and humans. Abuse of the use the drug may put themselves at risk of sexual assault. Sexual predators drug gained popularity when users Whouses ketamine? discovered that it produced effects reportedly have used ketamine to similar to those associated with PCP. Teenagers and young adults repre- incapacitate their intended victims— Because of its anesthetic properties, sent the majority of ketamine users. either by lacing unsuspecting victims’ ketamine also reportedly has been According to the Drug Abuse Warning drinks with the drug or by offering used by sexual predators to incapaci- Network, individuals aged 12 to 25 ketamine to victims who consume the tate their intended victims. accounted for 74 percent of the drug without understanding the effects ketamine emergency department it will produce. Whatdoes ketamine look like? mentions in the United States in 2000. Whatis ketamine called? Ketamine generally is sold as either Ketamine use among high school a colorless, odorless liquid or as a students is a particular concern. Nearly The most common names for white or off-white powder. 3 percent of high school seniors in the ketamine are K, special K, cat valium, United States used the drug at least and vitamin K. (Please see the Street once in the past year, according to the Terms text box below for additional University of Michigan’s Monitoring the names.) Future Survey.
Whatare the risks?
vestigation What are the risks? Ketamine causes users to have dis- Street Termsfor Ketamine torted perceptions of sight and sound and to feel disconnected and out of Green K Purple control. Use of the drug can impair an Honey oil Special la coke individual’s senses, judgment, and Jet PA Bureau of Narcotics In PA Super acid coordination for up to 24 hours after Ket Super C Powdered ketamine. the drug is taken even though the Kit kat drug’s hallucinogenic effects usually Howis ketamine abused? last for only 45 to 90 minutes. In either its powder or liquid forms, Use of ketamine has been associated ketamine is mixed with beverages or with serious problems—both mental added to smokable materials such as and physical. Ketamine can cause Isketamine illegal? Other products ofinterest: , Yes, it is illegal to abuse ketamine. Huffing—The Abuse of Inhalants Ketamine is a controlled substance. , Prescription Drug Abuse and Youth Specifically, it is a Schedule III , Ketamine substance under the Controlled Drugs,Youth, and the Internet Substances Act. Schedule III drugs, which include codeine and anabolic Fast FactsFacts steroids, have less potential for abuse than Schedule I (heroin) or Schedule II (cocaine) drugs. However, For more information on illicit drugs abuse of Schedule III substances may lead to physical or psychological checkout our website at: dependence on the drug. www.usdoj.gov/ndic Checkout Fast Facts on: , , Crack cocaine , Crystal methamphetamine , Foxy GHB and analogs National Drug Intelligence Center , Heroin 319 Washington Street, 5th Floor , Inhalants Johnstown, PA 15901-1622 , Jimsonweed Telephone: 814-532-4601 FAX: 814-532-4690 , Khat , LSD NDIC Washington Liaison Office , Marijuana 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1001 , MDMA McLean, VA 22102-3840 , Telephone: 703-556-8970 Methadone FAX: 703-556-7807 , Methamphetamine NDIC publications are available on the following web sites: , OxyContin Questions , PCP ADNET http://ndicosa , Powdered cocaine LEO home.leo.gov/lesig/ndic and , Prescription drugs RISS ndic.riss.net , INTERNET www.usdoj.gov/ndic , Psilocybin Answers Ritalin Call 814-532-4541 , Rohypnol , to request NDIC products National Drug Intelligence Center , Salvia divinorum a component of the , Steroids NDIC Product No. 2003-L0559-011 U.S. Department of Justice Yaba Cover photo: NDIC
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