Ketamine

drug-info-ketamine
Friday, August 28, 2009

  1. What it is

    Ketamine is a short acting general anaesthetic, which is used for medical and veterinary purposes. It is termed a 'disassociative', which means that it impedes the brain's sensory connection to the body.

  2. Health effects

    Short-term effects
    Using greater amounts of ketamine can cause muscle rigidity, headaches, nausea, confusion and disorientation, twitching, slurred speech, blurred vision and hallucinations.

  3. Dependence, addiction and overdose risk

    There is no conclusive evidence that either supports or disproves whether people can become physically addicted to ketamine. However, ketamine can be habit forming for some people who use it regularly.

  4. Law and penalities

    Currently ketamine is legislated under the Medicines Act 1981. This Act limits the availability of substances that can be used as medicines, and imposes penalties for misuse of these drugs.

  5. Drug trends

    The recreational use of ketamine is relatively low in New Zealand, according to minutes from the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs. The Committee recognised a "small but definite" market for ketamine and recommended that it be scheduled as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. 

  6. Reducing the harm

    The Drug Foundation’s message is clear: no drug use is the safest drug use. But we realise there will be occasions when people ignore warnings and use drugs. In order to limit the harm from their drug use, we provide information about effective methods of drug harm minimisation. Such information directly benefits the person using drugs, and also protects the wider community.

  7. How to get help

    There are a number of treatment organisations that can help. If you feel that you or anyone you know needs help, then you can call these services in strict confidence.

  8. Links

    www.cads.org.nz/sorted/ketamine.asp Ketamine information from the CADS (Community Alcohol and Drugs Service) 'Sorted' safe partying guide.

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