Cranstoun are aware of multiple reports in recent days from people experiencing unusual and potentially dangerous effects after using what they thought was ketamine. There appear to be two batches in circulation in multiple parts of England, in a wide variety of different areas.
One looks like shards, just like ketamine does, but with a distinctive smell, not unlike mephedrone.- The other looks like white granules, which also has a distinctive smell, not unlike cocaine.
- Both batches are likely to be variations of ketamine known as analogues. They have an unusually stimulating effect. At least one of them is also producing unpleasant and strong psychedelic effects.
- Quite a few people have reported feelings of panic and chest pains related to both batches. One person also reported feeling that their throat was closing up.
- A granular batch failed the Morris reagent test, turning it green rather than purple. This means it does not contain ketamine. It is not known how the shard-like batch behaves with reagent tests.
- For various reasons it is difficult to draw conclusions from recent WEDINOS results – www.wedinos.org/index.php. The granular batch recently tested as containing no active component, but the side effects listed by the person who submitted the sample included stimulation and chest pains. The inability to identify any active component may be because the analogue is not yet in WEDINOS’ chemical library.
On the basis of the reports of chest pain we want to give to people who use ketamine the following advice:
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One looks like shards but with a distinctive smell, not unlike mephedrone. The other looks like white granules also with a distinctive smell, not unlike cocaine When picking up a new batch, smell it first. If it smells unusual, throw it away or send it to WEDINOS.
- If you are using a new batch of ketamine, make sure to start slowly and ease yourself in gently. The analogues may take longer to kick in than regular ketamine. Do not re-dose thinking it is just poor-quality ketamine.
- If it has an unusually stimulating effect, throw it away or send it to WEDINOS.
- If you or anyone you know has chest pains after taking ketamine, call 999 immediately. If you or anyone else have symptoms of panic, sit or lie down and perform breathing exercises. If this does not reduce the symptoms of panic within 15 minutes, or they worsen, call 999.
- Don’t go off by yourself after using any drug, and don’t let others do the same.
If you have a Morris reagent test kit, which is legal to purchase online from www.reagent-tests.uk, use it. It is important to use a very small amount of ketamine when conducting the test, and to stir it thoroughly once both parts have been added. This can be done on a regular white plate or on ceramic dimple trays. If you have an unexpected result you should:
- Retest it again
- Send it to WEDINOS
- Bin it.
This blog was originally published by Cranstoun. You can read the original post here.
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