Ketamine

Ketamine was reported as a drug of use by eight countries in East and South-East Asia. In China, where it is ranked fifth in terms of use, it has become increasingly prevalent and accounts for more than a third of all drug use registered as using ‘new-type drugs’, a category that also includes methamphetamine and ecstasy.

Brunei and Singapore ranked ketamine as fourth and fifth respectively in terms of use. Brunei reported an increasing use trend for ketamine in 2008, as did China, Malaysia, Thailand and Viet Nam. Viet Nam also reported use for the first time in 2008. Indonesia reported a stable ketamine use pattern and Singapore reported a decline in use in 2008.

Annual seizures of ketamine in the region have been stable at 6.3-6.5 tons between 2007 and 2008 as reported to DAINAP. These figures exceed the annual amount of heroin seized in East and South-East Asia in recent years. In addition, these seizures of ketamine in 2007-2008 are approximately twice the total amount seized in 2005-2006. The bulk of the drug was seized in China with 6.1 and 5.3 tons seized in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Although Malaysia seized 553 kg in 2008 and recorded significant seizures between 2005 and 2007, the country has not reported any ketamine use trend for the 2007/08 period.