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News
Animal anesthetic can be used as "date-rape drug"
By PAT MUIR
State News Staff Writer
Veterinarians use ketamine as an anesthetic for horses, but its potential as a date-rape drug has state lawmakers worried.Ketamine, known as special k, is an anesthetic for animals such as horses, cats and dogs.It has the effect of disassociating the mind from the body and is used during surgery, said Elizabeth Carr, an equine medicine clinician at MSU's Large Animal Clinic. "Ketamine, in most states, is a controlled substance, but not yet in Michigan", Carr said. "That means every time you draw (a controlled substance) up for use, you have to document it. Drugs that are controlled drugs have to be under lock and key."Theft from veterinary clinics is uncommon but not unheard of, Carr said. No thefts have been reported locally.The Michigan House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill last week that would make ketamine a controlled substance. Unlawful possession of the drug would be punishable by up to seven years in prison, and delivery of special k could bring a 20-year sentence.The bill must still pass the state Senate and be approved by Gov.John Engler."There's no requirement right now to keep it under lock and key," Carr said. "It's not a controlled substance in Michigan, but it's probably going to be. That's going to help. "The bill's sponsor, Rep. Sue Rocca, R-Sterling Heights, said the legislation is needed because of the increasing use of the drug."It is becoming more and more prevalent, especially since we made Rohypnol and GHB prohibited substances," she said. "People are turning to ketamine because it is more accessible. "Possession of ketamine is only punishable as possession of stolen property, Rocca said."We want to classify it as a class-three drug, which means possession is a felony," she said. "By making it a controlled substance, every use would have to be documented. It couldn't fall through the cracks anymore."Mostly used recreationally as a hallucinogenic, ketamine's anesthetic qualities make sexual-assault targets out of those who unknowingly ingest it. In an overdose, ketamine can be lethal. Muhn said he has not heard of any ketamine thefts in the area, nor has he seen anyone in possession of the drug. But he recognizes the potential danger of veterinary drugs. "A lot of their drugs are pretty potent and pretty high-powered stuff," Muhn said. "Typically, with some of the other date-rape drugs, they're slipped in someone's drink. So, any time you're at a party, take precaution in drinking. Make sure you know who's handled your drink." Bruce Mortimer, a veterinarian at the Hagadorn Veterinary Clinic, 5936 N. Hagadorn Road, said he does not know why anyone would take the drug intentionally, but acknowledged its potential as a date-rape drug."That would make sense, because it is an anesthetic," Mortimer said. "I could see how it would be used for that purpose." Marie Hansen, assistant director of Student Life, said the same precautions used for date-rape drugs Rohypnol and GHB can protect students against ketamine. "There are different drugs that have the same sort of effect," Hansen said. "The primary advice is to watch what you’re drinking. Make sure you only drink any beverage that you poured yourself from the can."
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