Authorities Increase Vigilance Following Historic Ketamine Seizure
The record confiscation of a significant amount of ketamine has raised concerns among law enforcement agencies about criminal syndicates’ increasing efforts to smuggle the drug into the country.
Australian authorities are closely monitoring the situation after seizing a record amount of ketamine in an attempt to enter the country, amidst a sharp rise in illegal demand for the addictive sedative.
The use of ketamine, known for its harmful effects including disorientation, memory loss, depression, seizures, and even death, has quadrupled among individuals over 13 in the last seven years, with 900,000 people in Australia having tried it in their lifetime.
In the year 2023, authorities seized a total of 882 kilograms of ketamine, which was double the amount confiscated in 2022. This included 84 kilograms hidden in commercial vans on a cargo ship heading to Sydney, 80 kilograms concealed in buckets of coating sent to Melbourne, and another 65 kilograms buried near Geelong.
In the most recent seizure, an 18-year-old individual from the UK was caught trying to smuggle 20 kilograms of ketamine through Sydney Airport customs using multiple suitcases on March 1.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have expressed concerns about the increased efforts of criminals to import this prohibited substance.
“We’re not only seizing the drugs but also apprehending those involved in the imports. We will continue targeting your illicit activities, identifying you, and ensuring you face justice,” stated AFP Acting Commander Kristy Scott in a statement.
Heightened vigilance is accompanied by the far-reaching impact of drug addiction on individuals and communities. Ketamine, being a dangerous sedative with dissociative effects that impair cognitive functions and sensory perceptions, poses a serious threat to public health.
The sedative effects of ketamine make it increasingly popular, with 300,000 Australians, or 1.4% of the population, reporting its use in the past year. The drug is particularly prevalent among the LGBT community, with a usage rate of 5.8% among individuals identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park expressed grave concerns about the ongoing prevalence of ketamine, warning the public about its dangers and potential fatality outside of a hospital setting.
NSW Health has cautioned that ketamine might contain highly potent opioids like fentanyl and acetylfentanyl, which can lead to sudden and life-threatening overdoses even in small doses.
The increasing use of ketamine coincides with the challenges faced by patients with treatment-resistant depression who are unable to access affordable ketamine treatments due to barriers in the public health system, emphasizing the need for more accessible and cost-effective treatment options.
Meanwhile, recent data shows a decrease in heroin usage and a steady decline in the percentage of people injecting illicit drugs. Programs aimed at reducing harm associated with drug injections by providing clean needles and syringes have shown positive results, with an increase in the number of individuals using needle and syringe programs in recent years.
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