Nearly a fifth of ketamine deaths since 1999 happened last yearDRUG ALERT Urgent warning as deaths linked to popular party drug ketamine surge ’20 times over’ in a decadeKETAMINE deaths are surging in Britain because people are using it as a cheap mixer for drug cocktails, warn scientists. The drug’s popularity has boomed and famous overdose victims include Friends star Matthew Perry and TV drag queen The Vivienne. Study author Dr Caroline Copeland said: “We are seeing more ketamine-related deaths but these deaths rarely involve ketamine alone. Dr Copeland found overdose victims often mixed it with cocaine, opioids such as heroin or codeine, benzodiazepine sedatives, or gabapentinoid painkillers. She said there should be a better drug treatment system and more education about the risks of mixing substances.
