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15/01/2009
Ketamine Use 'On The Rise' As Price Drops
Increasing numbers of young people are taking the horse tranquilliser ketamine as a recreational drug, according to a new report.
Drug charity DrugScope found that users were injecting the Class C drug to maintain their "high", and also taking higher doses as the prices of the stimulant began to fall.
The drug - known as K or Special K - had dropped to about half that of cocaine with a gram now costing as little as £20.
DrugScope found ketamine was on the rise in nine out of the 20 areas surveyed.
In low doses, the drug is used as a tranquiliser. However, in higher recreational doses it can cause heart or lung failure.
Usually it is snorted or swallowed but the charity discovered more people were injecting it in an attempt to experience stronger hallucinations, which increases the risk of infection from dirty needles.
Ketamine was ranked more harmful than ecstasy and cannabis, in a survey carried out by Professor David Nutt, who chairs the Government's drug advisory panel.
It was made illegal three years ago and is ranked in class C alongside anabolic steroids.
DrugScope Chief Executive Martin Barnes said young people underestimated the dangers they took when using the drug.
He said: "Ketamine's harms increase considerably at high doses and injecting users risk exposure to blood-borne viruses such as Hepatitis C or HIV."
Meanwhile, a Home Office spokesman said: "While findings from the British Crime Survey show that less than half of 1% of all respondents reported the use of ketamine in 2007/08, and that there was no statistically significant change in this figure compared to the previous year, it is a dangerous drug that can cause serious harm to those who do use it."
The areas which reported an increase in ketamine use were: Portsmouth, London, Bristol, Ipswich, Birmingham, Nottingham, Sheffield, Blackpool and Newcastle.
(JM/BMcC)
Drug charity DrugScope found that users were injecting the Class C drug to maintain their "high", and also taking higher doses as the prices of the stimulant began to fall.
The drug - known as K or Special K - had dropped to about half that of cocaine with a gram now costing as little as £20.
DrugScope found ketamine was on the rise in nine out of the 20 areas surveyed.
In low doses, the drug is used as a tranquiliser. However, in higher recreational doses it can cause heart or lung failure.
Usually it is snorted or swallowed but the charity discovered more people were injecting it in an attempt to experience stronger hallucinations, which increases the risk of infection from dirty needles.
Ketamine was ranked more harmful than ecstasy and cannabis, in a survey carried out by Professor David Nutt, who chairs the Government's drug advisory panel.
It was made illegal three years ago and is ranked in class C alongside anabolic steroids.
DrugScope Chief Executive Martin Barnes said young people underestimated the dangers they took when using the drug.
He said: "Ketamine's harms increase considerably at high doses and injecting users risk exposure to blood-borne viruses such as Hepatitis C or HIV."
Meanwhile, a Home Office spokesman said: "While findings from the British Crime Survey show that less than half of 1% of all respondents reported the use of ketamine in 2007/08, and that there was no statistically significant change in this figure compared to the previous year, it is a dangerous drug that can cause serious harm to those who do use it."
The areas which reported an increase in ketamine use were: Portsmouth, London, Bristol, Ipswich, Birmingham, Nottingham, Sheffield, Blackpool and Newcastle.
(JM/BMcC)
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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.
28 March 2012
Legal High 'Mexxy' Banned Under New Government Powers
A so called legal high, known as ‘Mexxy’, will be the first drug to be banned under new government powers, the Home Office has said. Methoxetamine, used as an alternative to ketamine, will be made illegal for up to 12 months while the government's drugs advisers decide whether it should be permanently controlled.
Legal High 'Mexxy' Banned Under New Government Powers
A so called legal high, known as ‘Mexxy’, will be the first drug to be banned under new government powers, the Home Office has said. Methoxetamine, used as an alternative to ketamine, will be made illegal for up to 12 months while the government's drugs advisers decide whether it should be permanently controlled.
06 September 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.
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.
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