Ketamine

• Other names:
  
  K, Special K, Kitkat

• What is it?
  
  Although pharmaceutical Ketamine (under the brand name of Ketalar) is stocked in hospital pharmacies, the drug you come across on the street will have probably been imported from Eastern Europe, Mexico or the Indian subcontinent. It is very easy to turn this liquid into a crystallised powder. Although it is still around as a pill and in liquid form, it is the powder form that most commonly appears on the streets.
  Ketamine is not chemically related to ecstacy, LSD, magic mushrooms or smack (heroin). It is a chemical relative of phencyclidine (PCP) or as it's known in the USA: Angel Dust. Ketamine is a short acting hallucinogenic 'dissociative' anaesthetic with analgesic properties.

• How is it used?
  
  As with most of these powder drugs it can be snorted, swallowed or injected but with injecting, you run all the usual risks of HIV and Hep C.

• Is it addictive?
  
  It is not physically addictive in the true sense, but neither is cocaine. It does appear that people who use Ketamine regularly, can start to binge, get out of control and have difficulty stopping. In other words, they become psychologically addicted.

• Ketamine Dangers:
  
  A few people have died from overdoses by injecting large amounts. Having said this, the main dangers are to do with where you are and how you are feeling at the time. There is no such thing as too small a dose (do a little, not a lot).
  This is a new drug being used on the streets so, like with all fresh things, they don't know all about the side effects. Don't forget that this drug has been tested in a medical setting and not in a club or rave.
  Be aware that Ketamine is being used in the making of ecstacy and sold as MDMA.

• Legal Status:
  
  Illegal and if you are buying for a friend, you could be done on intent to supply.