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KETAMINE – RAVE DRUG
 
Calvin Stevens first synthesized Ketamine in 1962 at the Parke Davis
Lab. The original name for ketamine was ‘CI581’ and marketed as Ketalar.
Its synthesis came from a need to find an anesthetic to replace PCP.
It was not until 1965 that the first accounts of the recreational use of
Ketamine was reported. It was mass-produced and extensively used in the
Vietnam War.
Chemically known as 2-(2-Chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)-cyclohexanonec,
or ketamine is a central nervous system depressant which has been used
overseas to facilitate rapes and sexual assaults. It is a rapid-acting
drug and has sedative-hypnotic, analgesic and hallucinogenic properties.
Street Names
Ketamine, which is referred to on the street in major cities as Vitamin
K, New Ecstasy, Psychedelic Heroin, Super-K and Special K. It reemerged
as a popular drug choice in the 1990s. It is commonly peddled to young
party-goers at raves party. Trade name of this drug include Ketalar,
Ketajet, and Ketaset.
How is Ketamine being abused?
Ketamine is a liquid and the most potent ways of using it are by
injecting it intramuscularly or intravenously. Ketamine also can be made
into a tablet, or a powder by evaporating the liquid and reducing it to
a fine white powder that can be smoked or snorted. Because of its
appearance, Ketamine is often mistaken for cocaine or crystal
methylamphetamine (syabu).
SHORT TERM EFFECTS
Users who have injected ketamine reported tongue and neck movements,
which interfered with speech. If ketamine is taken orally, effects can
be felt after twenty minutes and last up to three hours. There is an
initial ‘rush’ which can be followed by nausea, vomiting and slurred
speech. Effects include a feeling of numbness and irregular
co-ordination of muscles.
The main point of concern with this drug is its anesthetic properties,
which can be posed physical danger. Users are less likely to feel pain,
and they can be submerged in their hallucinations without realizing that
they are not real. Eating and drinking before taking the drug can cause
vomiting, which means there is a risk of choking or suffocating,
particularly if the user loses consciousness. If a very large dose is
taken, the user risks heart failure or collapse of the respiratory
system. However, deaths from ketamine use are very rare.
The effects of ketamine can be very alarming if the user is not
expecting them.
The hallucinations, euphoria, confusion, removement from reality and
synaesthesia (‘seeing’ sounds and ‘hearing’ colours) experienced under
the influence of ketamine bears some resemblance to LSD although the
effects last for a shorter length of time. Unlike LSD, ketamine can make
users feel aggressive. The effects of ketamine are very dependent on the
user’s state of mind.
Information regarding long-term effects of ketamine is mainly anecdotal.
Flashbacks of experiences and hallucinations while under the influence
of the drug have been reported. There have also been suggestions that
long-term use of ketamine can damage the memory and eyesight of the
user, as well as reducing his/her attention span. A minority of users
may become psychologically dependent on ketamine, this can lead to
psychosis.
Is Ketamine Use Spreading?
So far in Brunei Darussalam, there has been no information on ketamine
abuse. However overseas reports have stated major developed cities
around South East Asia region are experiencing an emergence in the abuse
of ketamine. According to the Singapore ‘The Straits Time’ dated 16th
June 2002, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, “young party-goers are turning to
ketamine… to get a drug-induced high”. It was also reported in the
newspaper that the Narcotic Department, Royal Malaysian Police Force had
seized ketamine amounted to 7.3 kg worth around RM300,000 (BND$141,400)
in 2001.
Ketamine
is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act Cap 27, Law of Brunei
Darussalam and therefore its possession is not a criminal offence. It is
currently controlled as a Part I poison under the Poisons Act. With this
classification, ketamine can only be use as a Prescription Only drug.
This means that unauthorized supply is illegal. At present, charges of
unlawful possession of ketamine under the Poisons Act could be brought
against offenders, with a fine of BND$8,000.00 or, in default of
payment, imprisonment for 6 months.
In Singapore, Ketamine is controlled as Class B Drugs under the Misuse
of Drugs Act Chapter 185, The Statutes of The Republic of Singapore. It
is therefore illegal to possess or use it. Any person found guilty of
possession and consumption will face a penalty of up to S$20,000 fine or
10 years imprisonment or BOTH. As for illegal traffic and import or
export of Ketamine, The Misuse of Drugs Act poses a stringent penalty of
up to 20 years imprisonment and 10 strokes of the cane for illegal
traffic and up to 30 years imprisonment or imprisonment for life and 15
strokes of the cane for import or export of Ketamine.
While across the Pacific, Ketamine was placed in Schedule III of the
Controlled Substances Act in the United States. Schedule III listed the
drug as:-
Potential for abuse but less than the
drugs in Schedule I and II.
Currently accepted medical use in
treatment in the United States. -
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