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veggie
Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 17,504
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Ketamine tops cocaine as new drug of choice [UK]
#9612385 - 01/15/09 12:51 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Ketamine tops cocaine as new drug of choice January 15, 2009 - independent.co.uk
Government advisory panel ranks class C drug as more harmful than Ecstasy
The horse tranquilliser ketamine is increasingly replacing cocaine as the substance of choice among Britain's recreational drug users, according to charities and experts.
Use of the drug, known as "Special K" or "Raver's Smack", was found to be on the rise in nine out of 20 areas surveyed by the charity DrugScope. The British Crime Survey shows that use of the drug last year increased nationally by 10 per cent on 2006-07.
Once seen as a drug exclusively for the rave and dance scene, its popularity is now growing among Britain's middle-class users due to its price – a gram of ketamine costs £20, half as much as the same amount of cocaine – and the fact that it is seen as a "safe" and "clean" drug.
However, a survey carried out by Professor David Nutt, the chairman of the Government's drug advisory panel, ranks the class C drug as the sixth most dangerous illegal drug available – more harmful than Ecstasy and cannabis. The mistaken belief that the substance is risk-free is encouraging more young people to try ketamine and to take it in increasingly higher doses.
But experts say that it can cause heart or lung failure and point to the fact that it has been linked to 23 deaths between 1993 and 2006. In 2006 it was classified as a class C drug.
Martin Barnes, chief executive of DrugScope, said: "There is worrying evidence that people are experimenting with larger amounts or are even injecting the drug. Evidence of young people using ketamine is a particular concern, especially as many users may underestimate the risks involved."
The popularity of the drug, which can be snorted, swallowed, injected and even smoked, has grown from an estimated 60,000 users between 1998 and 2000 to about 113,000 in 2008. At last year's Glastonbury festival, police seized double the amount of ketamine than they did at the 2007 event.
The DrugScope survey shows that use of drug is increasing in Portsmouth, London, Bristol, Ipswich, Birmingham, Nottingham, Sheffield, Blackpool and Newcastle. And police forces in many of these areas say they are aware of the increased prevalence of the drug. Its popularity is illustrated on the internet, with some users posting videos of themselves, high on the substance, on the video-sharing website YouTube.
Mr Barnes added: "It is becoming very popular and it's a drug that a lot of people are talking about. The very fact that the price is falling shows how popular it is becoming. Three years ago, when we started this study, it was selling for about £30 a gram, now it is £20."
He added: "The fall in price does suggest that the people who are selling the stuff have no problems getting hold of it."
What is ketamine?
Originally used to treat injured soldiers in Vietnam, ketamine is most commonly used now as a horse tranquilliser. It has also been experimented with to treat depression and alcohol and heroin addiction. It was classified as an illegal drug in 2006 by the UK Government. It is usually sold in powder or liquid form for about £20 per gram. Unlike cocaine and heroin, it is not physically addictive, but, like cannabis and Ecstasy, it is psychologically addictive.
User's view: 'You forget about your normal life'
David first tried ketamine as a 20-year-old student at university in London. Now a 27-year-old marketing executive, living in Shoreditch, east London, he still takes the drug once a month. "I see it as a fun, sociable drug," he said. "I do it at house parties or if I'm having a big night out. I used to do cocaine, but I suppose I gradually replaced coke with ket. Coke is much more expensive and it generally makes everyone very loud and aggressive. Ket is different. It costs less and you use it in smaller quantities so it lasts a lot longer. The feeling you get is different too. It makes you feel anaesthetised to your worries. You forget about your normal life and everything is euphoric. Sometimes I've had bad trips, but I've never felt angry when on ketamine. I think it is a lot safer too. I've read it can have long-term effects on your health, but it doesn't seem as dangerous as cocaine. When on coke I used to feel my heart pounding and it didn't feel right. The other reason I changed is because of the classification. I've got a proper job and a career and I don't want to lose that. Ketamine is a class C drug so if I get caught I'm probably only going to get a slap on the wrist."
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Ego Death
Justadropofwaterinanendlesssea
Registered: 04/27/03
Posts: 10,447
Loc: The War Machine
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Re: Ketamine tops cocaine as new drug of choice [UK] [Re: veggie]
#9612931 - 01/15/09 05:08 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Raver's Smack never heard that 1 before
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mycoharry
Fun guy
Registered: 01/06/09
Posts: 416
Last seen: 10 years, 1 month
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Re: Ketamine tops cocaine as new drug of choice [UK] [Re: Ego Death]
#9613044 - 01/15/09 06:20 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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id take molly over K any day
-------------------- we create realitys in our minds based on our own experiences, rather than fact. my experiences in life have been insane, so in reality i am in fact, INSANE... -ME
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Green_T
Registered: 10/02/08
Posts: 4,042
Loc: UK
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Re: Ketamine tops cocaine as new drug of choice [UK] [Re: mycoharry]
#9613325 - 01/15/09 08:15 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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So let me get this straight...they are complaining about people taking special K because the government has cracked down on E? Who's fault is that i wonder...
when are the authorities going to realize that if you make a drug less available, people are going to get high on more dangerous shit? Case in point: Get rid of weed, people start doing meth. Get rid of meth, people start huffing glue...
-------------------- "I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man" - Thomas Jefferson Legalize Meth | Drug War Victims
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AloneInKyoto27
miketa
Registered: 12/30/08
Posts: 613
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Re: Ketamine tops cocaine as new drug of choice [UK] [Re: veggie]
#9613364 - 01/15/09 08:32 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Dickhead
2 Times
Registered: 01/24/05
Posts: 28,769
Loc: groin
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Re: Ketamine tops cocaine as new drug of choice [UK] [Re: AloneInKyoto27]
#9613391 - 01/15/09 08:40 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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I gotta try that shit.
-------------------- Multiplied
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AloneInKyoto27
miketa
Registered: 12/30/08
Posts: 613
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Re: Ketamine tops cocaine as new drug of choice [UK] [Re: Dickhead]
#9613416 - 01/15/09 08:47 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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It's pretty much the best thing on the face of the planet.
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Grapefruit
Freak in the forest
Registered: 05/09/08
Posts: 5,744
Last seen: 3 years, 2 months
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Re: Ketamine tops cocaine as new drug of choice [UK] [Re: AloneInKyoto27]
#9613476 - 01/15/09 09:08 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
AloneInKyoto27 said: It's pretty much the best thing on the face of the planet.
-------------------- Little left in the way of energy; or the way of love, yet happy to entertain myself playing mental games with the rest of you freaks until the rivers run backwards. "Chat your fraff Chat your fraff Just chat your fraff Chat your fraff"
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Irieforester
Head to toe inH2O
Registered: 03/10/08
Posts: 515
Loc: That state seperating fro...
Last seen: 11 years, 6 months
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Re: Ketamine tops cocaine as new drug of choice [UK] [Re: Grapefruit]
#9615012 - 01/15/09 02:31 PM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
the sixth most dangerous illegal drug available – more harmful than Ecstasy and cannabis.
MORE HARMFUL THAN ECSTACY AND CANNABIS!?!?
Quote:
it has been linked to 23 deaths between 1993 and 2006
Yep, more dangerous than both those.
-------------------- I am still and forever learning Apollyphelion said: You can learn A LOT from shitting in the right set and setting!
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XTCentral
Sweet Love
Registered: 01/13/14
Posts: 2,580
Last seen: 7 years, 1 month
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Re: Ketamine tops cocaine as new drug of choice [UK] [Re: Irieforester]
#19538437 - 02/08/14 07:46 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
Irieforester said:
Quote:
the sixth most dangerous illegal drug available – more harmful than Ecstasy and cannabis.
MORE HARMFUL THAN ECSTACY AND CANNABIS!?!?
Quote:
it has been linked to 23 deaths between 1993 and 2006
Yep, more dangerous than both those.
I know, it's just silly. It's like saying "More harmful than caffeine." or "more harmful than water." None of these drugs kill anyone, probably more people DO die due to water intoxication.
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36fuckin5
Alchemycologist
Registered: 08/11/03
Posts: 12,081
Loc: Diving into Mystical Territori...
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Re: Ketamine tops cocaine as new drug of choice [UK] [Re: XTCentral]
#19539248 - 02/08/14 11:25 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Fucking necrobumps....
-------------------- Redd Foxx said: If you're offended I don't give a shit and don't come see me no more. Pat The Bunny said: A punk rock song won't ever change the world, but I can tell you about a couple that changed me. bodhisatta said: i recommend common sense and figuring it out. These are the TEKs I use. They're all as cheap and easy as possible, just like your mom.
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my3rdeye
Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 4,354
Loc: Canada
Last seen: 2 years, 10 months
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Re: Ketamine tops cocaine as new drug of choice [UK] [Re: 36fuckin5]
#19541667 - 02/08/14 09:03 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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The popularity of the drug, which can be snorted, swallowed, injected and even smoked ------
You can smoke K?
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SoundScape
Gutter-Rat Rag
Registered: 08/02/11
Posts: 268
Loc: Cleveland Ohio
Last seen: 8 years, 6 months
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Re: Ketamine tops cocaine as new drug of choice [UK] [Re: my3rdeye]
#19541757 - 02/08/14 09:25 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Fuck man, there sure isn't any baby food in my area so I'm jealous. All these dumbasses here are still eating 25i blotters and railing methylone or whatever thinking they got good pure shit. My peers are a bit slow to the game I guess.
-------------------- .....And this is my music: https://www.youtube.com/user/MDS13Droog
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