What is Ketamine?
Ketamine belongs to a class of drugs known as ‘dissociative anesthetics’ which aim at separating perception from sensation. Other drugs that can be classified in this category are PCP, DXM, and nitrous oxide.
The drug was originally created for use as a human anesthetic and is still used as a general anesthetic in children and people with poor health. It is also commonly used in veterinary medicine, especially on horses.
Other common names for Ketamine include ‘Special K’ or ‘K’. It typically comes in a liquid form and then is cooked into a white powder which is then snorted.
The Effects
The effects of Ketamine include numbness, mild hallucinations, and a dream like state. Many users will experience the ‘K-Hole’. This can be described as like a near death experience with sensations of rising above and out of one’s body. This can be extremely frightening for some, while others feel it is spiritually enlightening.
Overdose
A person can overdose on the drug, requiring immediate medical attention. It is extremely dangerous when Ketamine is mixed with downers; such as, alcohol or Valium. Frequent use can lead to disruptions in consciousness and can lead to mental disorders; such as, neuroses. Ketamine is extremely addictive and wrecks havoc on the addict’s life and those who are in it. An addict will also go through withdrawal when quitting.
Ketamine in India
In India, Ketamine can be obtained through a pharmacist as long as the individual has a prescription. The drug is manufactured in various states throughout India and distributed to pharmacists with the proper licenses to sell it. Because there is such a high demand for the drug in Asia, India has become a major source for Ketamine. Although it is illegal to take Ketamine out of India, drug exporters are finding ways to do so and are bringing the drug to Asian countries like Hong Kong, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Officials have stated that many drug exporters of other substances, such as Heroin, are shifting to Ketamine because of the lower risk and higher payoff.
The Demand in Asia
The demand for Ketamine in Asia is increasing so much that the drug exporters in India have made attempts to smuggle the drug in onions, soap, rose water, massage oil, and as salt. While the Indian government has made attempts to input stricter regulations on Ketamine, individuals are still managing to get it out of the country and onto the streets on Hong Kong, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Ketamine in Malaysia
While there are not many direct statistics regarding Ketamine use in Malaysia, there is enough information that leads officials to believe that usage of this drug is soaring. Nearly every month, a Ketamine smuggler is getting caught either in India on route to Malaysia or at Malaysian airports. According to sources, Ketamine is the drug of choice for Malaysians, especially between the ages of 18 and 30. Many partiers are choosing to take Ketamine over Ecstasy, not only because of the effects, but because of the easy availability and the price. Some top officials in the Malaysian government believe that Malaysia is the ‘Ketamine Capitol’ of South East Asia.
Unfortunately, information that is available regarding the rehabilitation in Malaysia is not positive. By law, anyone caught with possession of an illegal substance must go to a designated rehabilitation center. These centers force people to go ‘cold turkey’, lack proper treatment, and have extremely high failure rates. It should be noted that the government has acknowledged these problems and are working to correct them.
Turning to Thailand for Rehab
Most addicts from Malaysia are flying up to Thailand to receive proper treatment. Thailand has become the most well respected country in the region for rehabilitation of drug addicts.
Ketamine: From India to Asia Part 2 – Hong Kong and Philippines
