In August, The Associated Press mentioned ASA's statement opposing ketamine's use for non-medical purposes, in an article that examined incidents across the country where the drug was used to chemically incapacitate people for law enforcement purposes. The article was republished in 355 news outlets, reaching an audience of over 487 million. “Ketamine is a potent analgesic, sedative and general anesthetic agent which can elevate blood pressure and heart rate, and can lead to confusion, agitation, delirium, and hallucinations. These effects can end in death when administered in a non-healthcare setting without appropriately trained medical personnel and necessary equipment,” the statement read.
Additionally, ASA Immediate Past President Mary Dale Peterson, MD, MSHCA, FACHE, FASA, was quoted in a KUNC-FM (NPR; Greeley, Colorado) piece, which reported on an announcement by the Colorado Health Department to review ketamine's use in police encounters, in August. And in early September, an interview with Dr. Peterson...
