Several well-known and dangerous street drugs begin with the letter 'K'. These substances range from dissociative anesthetics used in club settings to plant-based stimulants and highly dangerous synthetic concoctions. Understanding their origins, effects, and significant risks is crucial for public health and safety. The most notable of these are Ketamine, Khat, K2/Spice, and Krokodil.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic developed for use in humans and animals [1.3.1]. On the street, it's abused for its powerful hallucinogenic and dissociative properties, making users feel detached from their body and environment [1.3.1]. It is a Schedule III controlled substance in the United States [1.2.2].
Forms and Methods of Use
Illicit ketamine is typically sold as a white or off-white powder or a clear liquid [1.2.2]. The powder is often snorted in lines called "bumps" or mixed into tobacco or marijuana cigarettes and smoked [1.2.1]. The liquid form can be injected or mixed into drinks [1.2.1]. Street names include Special K, K, Kit Kat, Cat Valium, and Super K [1.2.1, 1.3.4].
Effects and Risks
The drug's hallucinatory effects last for a relatively short duration, typically 30 to 60 minutes [1.2.1]. Users experience distorted perceptions of sight and sound and a feeling of being disconnected [1.2.2]. However, the risks are severe and can be long-lasting. Short-term risks include impaired motor function, high blood pressure, and potentially fatal respiratory problems [1.2.2]. One of the most severe long-term consequences of chronic ketamine abuse is ketamine-induced cystitis (KIC), which involves severe bladder pain, a contracted bladder, and can lead to kidney failure [1.8.1, 1.8.3].
Understanding Khat (Catha edulis)
Khat is a flowering evergreen shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula [1.4.4]. It is abused for its stimulant-like effects, which come from its two active ingredients, cathinone and cathine [1.4.2].
Method of Use and Effects
The most common way to use Khat is to chew the fresh leaves and shoots, holding them in the cheek to release the active compounds [1.4.1]. The effects are amphetamine-like, including euphoria, increased energy, alertness, and talkativeness [1.4.1]. These effects usually last between 90 minutes and 3 hours [1.4.1]. Street names include Abyssinian Tea, African Salad, and Miraa [1.4.2].
Health Risks
While the World Health Organization classifies it as a drug of abuse with less addictive potential than alcohol or tobacco, it can still lead to psychological dependence [1.9.4, 1.9.1]. Chronic abuse can cause insomnia, anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and heart problems [1.4.3]. It has also been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and mouth cancer [1.9.1].
The Dangers of Synthetic Cannabinoids: K2 and Spice
K2, also known as Spice, is not a single drug but a mixture of man-made chemicals sprayed onto plant material to be smoked [1.5.2]. These products are often misleadingly marketed as "herbal incense" or "potpourri" and labeled "not for human consumption" to evade regulation [1.5.2].
Unpredictable and Severe Effects
The chemicals used in K2 mimic THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, but are often much more potent and dangerous [1.5.2]. The exact composition is usually unknown, making the effects highly unpredictable [1.5.2]. Users can experience severe agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, and violence [1.5.4]. Health consequences are dire and can include seizures, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and death [1.10.1].
Krokodil (Desomorphine): A Flesh-Eating Drug
Krokodil is the street name for desomorphine, a synthetic opioid that is about ten times more potent than morphine [1.6.1]. It gained notoriety as a cheaper, home-made substitute for heroin, particularly in Russia and Eastern Europe [1.6.2].
Toxic Composition and Devastating Effects
The drug is synthesized from codeine using toxic ingredients like gasoline, paint thinner, iodine, and phosphorus [1.6.3]. These toxic contaminants, not the desomorphine itself, are responsible for its most horrific effects. The name "Krokodil" (crocodile) refers to the scaly, green appearance of a user's skin, which is caused by gangrene and severe tissue damage at injection sites [1.6.1, 1.11.1]. This damage is so severe that it can lead to necrosis where the flesh rots away, often down to the bone, requiring limb amputation [1.11.3]. The average life expectancy for a user after they start is often just two years [1.6.2].
Comparison of Street Drugs Starting with 'K'
| Drug Name | Type | Common Street Names | Primary Effects | Significant Risks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ketamine | Dissociative Anesthetic | Special K, Kit Kat, K | Hallucinations, dissociation, euphoria [1.2.1] | Severe bladder damage, respiratory depression, addiction [1.8.3, 1.2.2] |
| Khat | Stimulant | African Salad, Miraa, Qat | Euphoria, alertness, energy [1.4.1] | Psychological dependence, heart problems, psychosis [1.9.1, 1.4.3] |
| K2 / Spice | Synthetic Cannabinoid | Spice, Fake Weed | Unpredictable; psychosis, agitation [1.5.4] | Seizures, kidney failure, heart attack, death [1.10.1] |
| Krokodil | Synthetic Opioid | Desomorphine | Potent euphoria, analgesia [1.6.3] | Severe tissue necrosis (flesh-eating), gangrene, death [1.11.1, 1.11.3] |
Conclusion
Street drugs that start with the letter K represent a wide spectrum of substances, each with its own unique and severe dangers. From the dissociative journeys of Ketamine that can destroy the urinary tract, to the stimulant properties of Khat, the unpredictable psychosis from K2/Spice, and the devastating tissue decay from Krokodil, these drugs pose a significant threat to individual health and public safety. Awareness of their effects and risks is a critical step in preventing abuse and addiction.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, confidential help is available. You can contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for treatment referral and information [1.12.1, 1.12.3].
