The Associated Press reports across the nation, individuals deemed “out of control” during an arrest may be injected with the drug Ketamine by a paramedic at the behest of a police officer. Ketamine may have played a role in several deaths in a police setting over the past several years. Further, the AP analysis shows “cases where the drug was used during police encounters uncovered a lack of police training, conflicting medical standards and nonexistent protocols that have resulted in hospitalizations and even deaths.” Ketamine was originally developed in 1962 as a human anesthetic. It is often used by veterinarians and can only be prescribed and administrated under the direct supervision of a doctor. Ketamine does have drug interactions, and can affect blood pressure, eye pressure, and intracranial pressure. Do you know if your local police department uses Ketamine during arrests?
Police Use Ketamine During Arrests
Published in The Stream
Jessica Gilbert has been the director of the Humane Society of South Central Michigan since 2008. She has her BA in Liberal Arts and her Master of Public Administration from Western Michigan University. A lifelong resident of Battle Creek, she collects mid century chrome postcards.