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06/09/2005
Ketamine rises in popularity with UK clubbers
The use of a powerful anaesthetic, commonly used by vets, is increasing among UK clubbers, a new survey has found.
Research conducted by Druglink magazine found that ketamine was now on sale in eight UK cities, including London, Manchester, Belfast and Birmingham, out of the 15 surveyed.
The drug, which is known by a variety of nicknames, such as ‘K’, ‘Ket’ and ‘Special K’, was initially popular on the gay club scene. Druglink editor, Harry Shapiro described the emergence of ketamine on the club scene as “an entirely new phenomenon”, since it did not feature on last year’s survey by the magazine.
Ketamine users report feelings of euphoria and may experience hallucinations. However, other effects include numbness, loss of co-ordination, slurred speech and the inability to feel pain. Large doses can also cause vomiting and convulsions.
Ketamine is currently legal, but the Home Office is planning to make it a Class C drug by the end of the year.
The survey also found that the price of ecstasy has also dropped dramatically. Ecstasy pills could now be purchased for as little as 50p in Portsmouth, the survey found, half the price of the previous year’s lowest cost, which was found in Birmingham.
A drugs worker in Birmingham told Druglink: “Ecstasy pills contain less MDMA than they used to and so it is more of just a stimulant than something that alters your state of mind. People aged 18-25 are taking ketamine for a more trippy night out.”
The survey also found that the price of heroin had also halved in Sheffield, making it the cheapest in the UK at £25 per gram and reported that drug dealers were now offering ‘two for one’ deals on heroin and crack ‘party packs’, in order to attract new customers.
Druglink said that the survey, carried out among 40 frontline drug services in July 2005, provided the most up-to-date information on average UK street drug prices.
(KMcA/SP)
Research conducted by Druglink magazine found that ketamine was now on sale in eight UK cities, including London, Manchester, Belfast and Birmingham, out of the 15 surveyed.
The drug, which is known by a variety of nicknames, such as ‘K’, ‘Ket’ and ‘Special K’, was initially popular on the gay club scene. Druglink editor, Harry Shapiro described the emergence of ketamine on the club scene as “an entirely new phenomenon”, since it did not feature on last year’s survey by the magazine.
Ketamine users report feelings of euphoria and may experience hallucinations. However, other effects include numbness, loss of co-ordination, slurred speech and the inability to feel pain. Large doses can also cause vomiting and convulsions.
Ketamine is currently legal, but the Home Office is planning to make it a Class C drug by the end of the year.
The survey also found that the price of ecstasy has also dropped dramatically. Ecstasy pills could now be purchased for as little as 50p in Portsmouth, the survey found, half the price of the previous year’s lowest cost, which was found in Birmingham.
A drugs worker in Birmingham told Druglink: “Ecstasy pills contain less MDMA than they used to and so it is more of just a stimulant than something that alters your state of mind. People aged 18-25 are taking ketamine for a more trippy night out.”
The survey also found that the price of heroin had also halved in Sheffield, making it the cheapest in the UK at £25 per gram and reported that drug dealers were now offering ‘two for one’ deals on heroin and crack ‘party packs’, in order to attract new customers.
Druglink said that the survey, carried out among 40 frontline drug services in July 2005, provided the most up-to-date information on average UK street drug prices.
(KMcA/SP)
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04 December 2003
Ecstasy in decline but drug use is 'stable'
Class A drug use overall has remained the same but ecstasy use has fallen by a fifth, according to Home Office figures published today. Figures for 2002/03 show that class A drug use among young people has been "broadly stable" since 1996 with recent falls in some individual drugs, such as ecstasy which has fallen for the first time.
Ecstasy in decline but drug use is 'stable'
Class A drug use overall has remained the same but ecstasy use has fallen by a fifth, according to Home Office figures published today. Figures for 2002/03 show that class A drug use among young people has been "broadly stable" since 1996 with recent falls in some individual drugs, such as ecstasy which has fallen for the first time.
27 June 2014
Man, 26, Dies At Glastonbury
A man has died at this year's Glastonbury festival, it has been confirmed. The 26-year-old, from Reading in Berkshire, is understood to have died after taking the illegal drug Ketamine. Police have said he suffered an "adverse reaction" to the substance, and it is not thought the batch of drugs was contaminated.
Man, 26, Dies At Glastonbury
A man has died at this year's Glastonbury festival, it has been confirmed. The 26-year-old, from Reading in Berkshire, is understood to have died after taking the illegal drug Ketamine. Police have said he suffered an "adverse reaction" to the substance, and it is not thought the batch of drugs was contaminated.
25 September 2015
Further Six Arrested In No Deal Operation In Birmingham
A further six people have been arrested as part of an ongoing operation targeting suspected drug dealers in Birmingham. Police carried out a series of dawn raids on Thursday 24 September, arresting a 17-year-old man, two 19-year-olds and three men aged 21, 26 and 47.
Further Six Arrested In No Deal Operation In Birmingham
A further six people have been arrested as part of an ongoing operation targeting suspected drug dealers in Birmingham. Police carried out a series of dawn raids on Thursday 24 September, arresting a 17-year-old man, two 19-year-olds and three men aged 21, 26 and 47.
17 October 2003
54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers
Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre. Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets.
54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers
Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre. Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets.
13 June 2005
Survey lifts lid on doctors 'under the influence'
The NHS has serious problems with drink and drug abuse among medical staff, a BBC survey has claimed. Research conducted for BBC One’s ‘Real Story with Fiona Bruce’ found that 750 clinical and medical staff across the UK had been formally disciplined for offences involving alcohol or drugs at work.
Survey lifts lid on doctors 'under the influence'
The NHS has serious problems with drink and drug abuse among medical staff, a BBC survey has claimed. Research conducted for BBC One’s ‘Real Story with Fiona Bruce’ found that 750 clinical and medical staff across the UK had been formally disciplined for offences involving alcohol or drugs at work.
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