Dramatic Rise in Ketamine Seizures: Recreational Use Increasing

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The illicit use of ketamine, a powerful anesthetic often abused for its hallucinogenic effects, is on the rise in the United States. A recent analysis published in JAMA Psychiatry revealed a 349% increase in the number of ketamine seizures by law enforcement agencies between 2017 and 2022. The total weight of ketamine seized saw an even more staggering increase, rising by 1,116.4% during the same period.

The NDEWS Study on Ketamine Seizures

The study, led by Dr. Joseph Palamar, Deputy Director of the National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS), included data from NDEWS Scientific Advisory Group member Tom Carr, and was co-authored by NDEWS Director Dr. Linda Cottler, among others.

Increase in Illegal Ketamine

According to the NDEWS analysis, the number of ketamine seizures has been on a steady incline. Law enforcement agencies reported a 349% increase in the number of seizures of this illicit substance over a five-year period from 2017 to 2022.

This increase is not only in terms of the number of seizures. The total weight of ketamine seized also shot up dramatically, increasing by 1,116.4% over the same period. This indicates a surge in the availability and distribution of the drug in the black market.

The Dangers of Illicit Ketamine

The authors of the study express their concerns over the rise of nonmedical use of illicit ketamine. They suggest that recreational users are at a high risk of encountering an adulterated and potentially harmful version of the drug.

Illicit ketamine, unlike its medical counterpart, often comes with a host of unknown and potentially lethal adulterants. This increases the risk of harmful or even fatal reactions, especially when combined with other substances or taken in large amounts.

The Need for Increased Awareness and Regulation

This alarming increase in ketamine seizures underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and regulation. Those specializing in drug enforcement have been encountering ketamine on its own, but also mixed with fentanyl where it is used as a booster sometimes.?

Authorities, healthcare providers, and communities must work together to address this growing issue. Education about the risks associated with illicit ketamine use, alongside efforts to curb its availability, will be paramount in managing this public health crisis.

The rise in ketamine seizures is a clear indicator of the escalating problem. It's a wakeup call for everyone - the medical community, law enforcement agencies, policy-makers, and society as a whole - to take immediate action against the illicit use of ketamine.