Britons taking drug used to sedate horses
November 17th, 2011 - 7:05 pm ICT by IANSLondon, Nov 17 (IANS) A huge number of British teenagers - around 300,000 - are now using general anaesthetic Ketamine, normally used by veterinarians to sedate horses, as a recreational drug, a study said.
Youngsters are falsely convinced that the drug offers a “safer” high after party drug Meow Meow was banned, The Sun reported quoting experts from DrugScope, an independent drug research centre in Britain.
The number of users has soared from 100,000 to 300,000 since 2006, the report said.
Experts said those who take ketamine risk death from lung and heart failure, perforation of the stomach and bowel, and psychosis.
DrugScope monitored the use of the drug in association with police, drug clinics, hospital trusts and the British Home Office.
“Our findings underpin evidence that use is on the rise. People tempted to take this drug need to know how harmful it can be,” said DrugScope’s Martin Barnes.
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