Studies have shown that in recent years the use of Ketamine as a recreational or “club drug” has dramatically increased, despite the inherit risk of taking this drug. Ketamine is often seen on the “club or rave” scene, along with drugs like GHG and Ecstasy. All of these drugs are attractive in these environments due to the increase of energy, euphoric feelings that they create, and the heightened sensitivity that is an affect of the drug.
Ketamine is a drug that was created to anesthetize individuals who are undergoing medical procedures, or in the case of burn victims to help alleviate pain. The largest problem seen with this drug is that with varied doses there are varied reactions. While low doses will create a euphoric high, larger doses can lead to coma, reduced heart rate, and in some cases death. If this drug is administered while not under medical supervision the occurrence for overdose is extremely high.
The increased useage of Ketamine amoung young people is concerning, especially since many of these young adults are unclear about the risks involved with using this drug. Therfore educational programs are being developed throughout the United States in effort to educate teens and young adults on the dangers of ketamine use, and potential hazards of increased us.
An independent medical study conducted in 2007 ranked ketamine as more harmful than both cannabis and ecstasy. Earlier studies conducted in 2005 had noted the use of Ketamine recreationally among teenagers and young adults which lead the USDA to make ketamine a class C drug in 2006. In 2008 a study was conducted in 20 American cities where the incidence of ketamine abuse saw a huge rise.
