`TRIPS' ON HORSE TRANQUILLISER STIR POLICE ALERT

Wellington: Detectives are concerned at the growing illegal use of the
horse tranquilliser, Ketamine, in Wellington.

Detective Sergeant Scott Miller said police had made seizures of the
drug, which is used legitimately by veterinary surgeons. Its prevalence
in the Wellington drug scene had increased over the past six months.

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration reports Ketamine,
known on the street as Special K, is a general anaesthetic.

It produces effects similar to PCP (formerly also used as an animal
anaesthetic), with the visual effects of LSD.

"Users tout its trip as better than that of PCP or LSD because its overt
hallucinatory effects are short-acting, lasting an hour or less," the US
drug agency web site says.

"The drug can affect the senses, judgment and co-ordination for 12 to 24
hours."

Det Sgt Miller said Ketamine was being sold as a powder or liquid in
Wellington and injected. One gram of powder was selling on the street
for up to $200.

A key concern for police was that users did not always know exactly what
they were taking. Ketamine, like other drugs, was often mixed with
another substance.

Ketamine is also snorted, placed in alcoholic drinks or smoked with
marijuana.