[Corrected Copy]

 

ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 1772

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: JUNE 12, 1997

 

      The Assembly Judiciary Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1772 (1R).

      This bill amends the "New Jersey Controlled Dangerous Substances Act," P.L.1970, c.226 (C.24:21-1 et seq.) to designate ketamine hydrochloride, also known as ketamine, as a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance.

      Ketamine is a rapidly acting general anesthetic occurring as a white, crystalline powder, which is given intravenously or intramuscularly and may produce vivid and sometimes unpleasant dreams. Although this drug has an accepted use in veterinary medicine, it has been increasingly used as a street drug called "Special K," which leaves the user in a heavily sedated condition and has been documented to result in instances of coma and even death. Raids of popular dance clubs in New York and New Jersey have resulted in charges of club employees distributing the drug. The high produced by ketamine may include hallucinations, delirium and disorientation, and high doses may cause respiratory distress, vomiting, convulsions, an inability to move, elevated blood pressure and pulse rate.

      Ketamine is chemically similar to PCP. In its injectable form, it is sold under the brand names of Ketajet and Ketacet. Illegal users may either drink the drug in liquid form, mixing it with bottled water or other liquids, or, more commonly, may convert it into powder, which can be either snorted or sprinkled on marijuana cigarettes and smoked. When packaged in its powder form, ketamine appears similar to cocaine, heroine or crystal methamphetamine. Veterinarians can buy a vial of ketamine for about $7; however, a single dose of powder or liquid costs the abuser from $25 to $50.

      Currently, the maximum penalty for possession of this drug is a disorderly persons offense (punishable by up to six months imprisonment or a fine of up to $1,000, or both), because ketamine is not classified as a controlled dangerous substance. This bill is intended to provide the law enforcement community with a more potent means of combating this growing problem.

      This bill is identical to Assembly Bill No. 2712.