A potent new street drug, a combination of ketamine and the veterinary tranquilizer medetomidine, is being increasingly linked to sexual assaults and fatal overdoses. Marketed as 'Rhino Ket' or 'Rhino Tranq,' this dangerous substance has emerged in various locations, including Manchester and Blackpool, with experts warning of a rapidly growing crisis.
Users of the drug report an intense and unpredictable sedative effect. Becky, a 28-year-old nurse practitioner, described an experience where a batch of ketamine laced with medetomidine left her fully conscious but completely paralyzed. In this state, she was sexually assaulted by her dealer, who admitted to regularly selling the blend to incapacitate women. Becky, fearing job loss, did not report the assault.
Medetomidine, a tranquilizer used for large animals, is significantly more potent than other sedatives sometimes mixed with ketamine. When combined with ketamine, it can induce extreme and prolonged sedation, leading to breathing difficulties, a higher risk of overdose, and a state of vulnerability that leaves users susceptible to crime. Unlike opioid overdoses, the effects of medetomidine are not reversed by naloxone, the drug commonly used by paramedics.
A Shift Towards Potent Drugs
Young professionals are increasingly turning to drugs over alcohol for logistical reasons, seeking substances that do not leave lingering scents or cause hangovers, allowing them to maintain performance at work. Mark, a 20-year-old trainee accountant, recounted an incident where he took 'Rhino Ket' and collapsed at the wheel of his car, narrowly avoiding a more severe outcome due to his friends' quick actions to remove him from the wreckage before emergency services arrived.
Reports from drug testing research facility Mandrake in Manchester confirm that multiple street ketamine samples have been contaminated with medetomidine. Drug and alcohol services like Wirral Ways have also issued alerts about the heightened risks associated with this mixture. The drug's street price is comparable to regular ketamine, often around £10 to £20 per gram, making it an accessible but perilous choice.
The Vulnerability of Young Users
The drug is particularly concerning due to its impact on young people. Steve Pope, a psychotherapist and addictions counsellor, has seen a rapid increase in cases, including teenagers who were unaware of the substance's true potency. Emma, a high school student, and her friends experienced a 'virtual coma' after taking a small amount of what they believed was ketamine. Emma woke disoriented with no memory of an assault.
Anna, 16, has suffered severe consequences from tainted batches, including memory loss after attacking a stranger and a fall from a second-story window resulting in multiple fractures. Ryan, just 14, was found wandering on the M55 motorway after taking the drug at a party.
Growing Crisis and Regulatory Concerns
Authorities have acknowledged the danger, with the UK government announcing in January that it would move to control medetomidine as a Class C drug. However, experts like Pope argue that Class C classification may not be sufficient, as it could be perceived as lower risk by criminal organizations. While test kits to detect medetomidine are available, their cost is prohibitive for many young users buying drugs in small quantities.
Counselors like Pope emphasize that the drug's effects are rapid and devastating, capable of dismantling lives regardless of age or background. The trend is described as an 'avalanche' with severe implications for public health and safety.