CAT TRANQUILIZER HIGH ON FAD-DRUG LIST

Dealers Stealing Sedative From Vets' Offices

Users say the drug brings you to another world, one that separates your
mind from the rest of your body.

But unlike the other designer drugs popular at Philadelphia's bustling
nightclubs - Ecstasy ("e"), LSD ("acid") and GHB ("Georgia Home Boy") -
this drug kicks in much faster.

It's a drug whose primary purpose is to sedate animals.

And when abused by humans, law enforcement and medical officials say,
ketamine, or Special K as it's often called, has the potential to kill.

The latest fad for club drug users is "polydrugging" - mixing drugs
including ketamine on the same night, putting themselves in greater danger,
said Jude McKenna, special agent at the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration in Philadelphia.

"These days, Special K is high up there along with Ecstasy and LSD. It's
getting more popular, and we haven't seen the worst of it," said McKenna,
who worked as a Philadelphia cop for 12 years.

"Drugs like Special K can be fatal. When you take enough of it, it causes
respiratory depression, stopping the user from breathing," he said.

The number of deaths associated with club drugs this year is not yet
available, city Health Department spokesman Jeff Moran said yesterday.
McKenna said that "polydrugging" makes it tough to determine which drug is
responsible in an overdose.

The DEA agent warns ketamine abuse is a danger that needs to be taken
seriously by parents. Kids as young as 12 years old are using it, he said.

"It's become one of the newest crazes kids have found along with the other
club drugs," he said. "Kids who use these drugs see them as harmless, and
they should be taught to know better."

Ketamine is a liquid sedative that is "almost tailor-made for cats," said
Dr. Michael Moyer, owner of Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital in Bensalem.

He said the drug was used to restrain cats, dogs and horses. Feline use is
normally for short procedures no longer than 40 minutes.

Sarah Erush, director of drug information service at the Hospital of the
University of Pennsylvania, said that in rare cases the drug is used for
humans.

In August 1999, ketamine was classified by the federal government as a
Schedule III controlled substance.

McKenna said that all drugs, illegal or not, are put into a schedule
according to medical necessity and potential for abuse. Because ketamine
has a legitimate medical use and can be abused, it's high on the scheduling
list.

A 10-milliliter ketamine bottle sells for around $8 and can be found in
virtually all veterinary hospitals and clinics.

So how do drug users know to market an animal drug to club-goers looking to
get high?

"I don't know. And if I could answer that, we could solve the drug problems
of the world," said McKenna.

He theorized the motivations are word-of-mouth and experimentation.

When used illegally, ketamine is cooked and turned into powder. Though it
can be injected into muscles, McKenna said that most users here snort it.

He said a 10-milligram bag of Special K sells for between $10 and $15.

Last Friday, two men committed their fourth recent veterinarian robbery in
which ketamine and money were stolen. Two of the robberies were in the
Northeast, one in Cheltenham and one in Germantown.

Capt. Patrick Dempsey of Northeast Detectives said he believes the
robberies are linked. His office has identified suspects, he said, and
hopes to arrest the pair by today, before a 6:30 p.m. meeting between
officers and local veterinarians.

The meeting will address how the vets can better protect themselves and
their offices from robberies.

"Ketamine is a very commonly used drug, so these robberies concern all
veterinarians," said Dr. Ravindra Murarka, chief veterinarian at the local
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who plans to attend
tonight's meeting.

"Unlike doctors who practice human medicine, most veterinarians practice
individually. It's even more dangerous for them," he said.

In addition to educating vets, McKenna and his partner, Special Agent Rick
Woodcock, have been visiting high schools and middle schools in
Philadelphia and surrounding counties to inform teens about the dangers of
club drugs. McKenna said they have also lectured parent groups, civic
associations and other police officers.

"Club drugs like ketamine is a national concern. I don't know of any city,
even a rural town, that is not facing this problem," said McKenna. "And
everyone needs to be informed and educated."

Those having abuse problems with club drugs can contact the Center for
Substance Abuse Treatment at 1-800-662-HELP, or the National Clearinghouse
for Alcohol and Drug Information at 1-800-729-6686. *