Key Points

Ketamine is a white powdery substance that also can be a clear liquid or in a tablet form. It can taste quite bitter when ingested.

Most users will snort Ketamine in its powder form but some have been known to inject it.

Some common street names are:

• Donkey Dust
• K
• Ket
• Special K

It is used medically by Paramedics and Doctors as a type of aesthetic or pain killer for patients of physical trauma. It is also used by Vets on both small and large animals for the same uses.

It is known a dissociative drug that gives its users an out body experience.

The Law  

Ketamine is a Class B drug.

Which means that is illegal to have in your possession, to supply or produce.

To be found in possession of Ketamine can get you up to 5 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.

To supply Ketamine you can get up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.

Driving under the influence of Ketamine is considered dangerous and illegal. If found guilty of this then you can face a heavy fine, driving ban or prison sentence and potentially all three of these.

Effects on the body and Risks

Taking Ketamine can make you feel:

• Dreamlike and detached
• Relaxed and chilled out
• Dizzy and confused

It can also make you hallucinate (see things) and put you into something called a “K hole” which Is a form of “trip” in which you feel detached from your body and not control of your body or what happens to it.

It takes roughly 15 mins to kick in when snorted and can last 30 mins to an hour. It is detectable in your system for about a week.

The Risks

Because it is an aesthetic you don’t feel pain and when mixed with other substances it can be fatal.

Its dissociative effects can leave you feeling paralysed and therefore can be vulnerable to assault, theft or sexual assault.

The main effect on the body and the main risk is the long term effect on the bladder. It can lead to Ketamine Bladder Syndrome. This is when Ketamine burns away the inner lining of the bladder which means the bladder needs surgical repair or even removal.

The main symptoms of this are sever cramps known as “K-cramps” or urinating blood.

At this point user should seek medical help immediately.

As well as the physical effects and risk. Ketamine can leave user with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression from dependency and even psychotic episodes due to the hallucinogenic effects of Ketamine.

With all substances there is a risk you may overdose and die.