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Ketamine reclassification proposal comes as popularity of 'special K' falls Ketamine reclassification proposal comes as popularity of 'special K' falls
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Ketamine has long been a presence on the UK club scene but it experienced an apparent surge in use in the second half of the last decade.Ketamine has long been a presence on the UK club scene but it experienced an apparent surge in use in the second half of the last decade.
In 2008, the British crime survey revealed it was the fastest growing "party drug" among 16-24-year-olds, leading it to be dubbed the new ecstasy. In 2008, the British crime survey revealed it was the fastest growing "party drug" among 16-to 24-year-olds, leading it to be dubbed the new ecstasy.
From its first inclusion on the survey in 2006-7 to 2010-11 use of the drug, also known as "special K", more than doubled among young people from 0.8% having tried it to 2.1%, the increase coinciding with a drop in its price. From its first inclusion on the survey in 2006-7 to 2010-11 use of the drug, also known as special K, more than doubled among young people, from 0.8% having tried it to 2.1%, the increase coinciding with a drop in its price.
However, its popularity appears to have dropped back since so that in the latest crime survey the percentage of 16-24-year-olds saying they used it fell back to the same level as in 2006-07. However, its popularity appears to have dropped back since so that in the latest crime survey the percentage of 16-to 24-year-olds saying they used it fell back to the same level as in 2006-07.
It is unclear whether the reduction of use is due to increasing publicity about health concerns surrounding the drug, famously known to be used as a horse tranquilliser. It is unclear whether the reduction of use is due to increasing publicity about health concerns, which is known to be used as a horse tranquilliser.
It surfaced on the dancefloors of UK clubs in the early 1990s, often being sold as ecstasy in a tablet form, although these days it is generally snorted. It causes feelings of euphoria as well as powerful hallucinations and can cause users to feel detached from their body. Some find their movement limited and experience confusion, paranoia and panic attacks. It surfaced on the dancefloors of British clubs in the early 1990s, often being sold as ecstasy in a tablet form, although these days it is generally snorted. It causes feelings of euphoria as well as powerful hallucinations and can cause users to feel detached from their body. Some find their movement limited and experience confusion, paranoia and panic attacks.
Ketamine has also been linked to memory problems.. It has been likened by some users to having a near-death experience, sometimes referred to as "entering the k-hole". The lack of control the user experiences exposes them to risks and some people have died due to their actions while disorientated.Ketamine has also been linked to memory problems.. It has been likened by some users to having a near-death experience, sometimes referred to as "entering the k-hole". The lack of control the user experiences exposes them to risks and some people have died due to their actions while disorientated.
As ketamine's use surged, so did reports of problems associated with its use. In 2008, doctors from the Bristol Urological Institute (BUI) published a letter in the British Medical Journal reporting they had seen nine patients with severe urological symptoms associated with ketamine use over the last two years. As ketamine's use surged, so did reports of problems associated with its use. In 2008, doctors from the Bristol Urological Institute (BUI) published a letter in the British Medical Journal reporting they had seen nine patients with severe urological symptoms associated with ketamine use over the previous two years.
Users reported pain and burning on passing urine, blood in the urine, necessity to pass urine frequently and suddenly and leakage of urine. Subsequent to the BUI letter more cases began to emerge. The effects are the result of ketamine entering the urine and damaging the bladder lining, which can bleed as it becomes infected. Users reported pain and burning on passing urine, blood in the urine, necessity to urinate frequently and suddenly and leakage of urine. Subsequent to the BUI letter more cases began to emerge. The effects are the result of ketamine entering the urine and damaging the bladder lining, which can bleed as it becomes infected.
For some people the symptoms cease when they stop taking the drug but others are not so lucky. Some have to have a catheter fitted for life to drain fluid from the bladder because of the pain while in extreme cases patients have had to have their bladder removed. For some people the symptoms cease when they stop taking the drug but others are not so lucky. Some have to have a catheter fitted for life to drain fluid from the bladder because of the pain, while in extreme cases patients have had to have their bladder removed.
If the fall in people using ketamine suggested by the British Crime Survey was prompted by health worries, it does not appear to have translated to fewer people reporting problems. In June, Channel 4 News reported an increase of surgeons seeing ketamine-related cases in Bristol and Leeds over the past 12 months, compared with the previous year of more than 90% and 50% respectively. If the fall in people using ketamine suggested by the British Crime Survey was prompted by health worries, it does not appear to have translated to fewer people reporting problems. In June, Channel 4 News reported an increase of surgeons seeing ketamine-related cases in Bristol and Leeds in the past 12 months of more than 90% and 50% respectively.
And it said that 75% of those who make it to the club drug clinic in London show symptoms of bladder problems. However, the numbers are still relatively low and experts worry the reported cases could represent the tip of the iceberg.And it said that 75% of those who make it to the club drug clinic in London show symptoms of bladder problems. However, the numbers are still relatively low and experts worry the reported cases could represent the tip of the iceberg.
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