The New York Attorney General’s office has revived a criminal probe into a 2024 allegation that a former Cornell University student was drugged and sexually assaulted by seven men at a campus fraternity, a case that has brought the recreational use of ketamine back into public focus.
What Is Ketamine and Its Legal Status
Ketamine is a federally approved anesthetic that provides pain relief and induces amnesia, and it is also prescribed for treatment‑resistant depression. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared the drug for these medical purposes, while the Controlled Substances Act classifies it as a Schedule III substance, making non‑medical possession a criminal offense. When taken outside a clinical setting, ketamine produces dissociative effects that distort sight and sound and can leave users feeling out of control. The drug’s rapid impact on heart rate and blood pressure typically peaks within minutes and subsides over ten to twenty minutes, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Illicit distribution largely stems from diversion of veterinary supplies or smuggling from Mexico.
Rising Recreational Use and Public Health Concerns
Recent federal data show a 40 percent increase in Americans using ketamine recreationally between 2021 and 2022, underscoring a growing trend. Street names such as “Special K,” “Jet K,” and “Vitamin K” circulate among users, while the powder is snorted or smoked and the liquid is injected or mixed into drinks. Side effects can include rapid eye movement, dilated pupils, nausea, agitation, depressive mood and impaired cognition, and an overdose may cause unconsciousness and dangerously slowed breathing. Because the substance is often combined with other stimulants or depressants, the risk of adverse reactions escalates.
The Cornell Allegations and Ongoing Investigation
A lawsuit filed by the former student alleges that she was pressured to inhale a white powder she believed to be ketamine, after which the seven men allegedly assaulted her, with some reportedly snorting the substance from her body. The accused individuals, their fraternity, Cornell University and her sorority have all been named as defendants, though the men have denied any wrongdoing. In response, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed State Attorney General Letitia James to head an “active criminal investigation,” asserting that earlier authorities failed the accuser, who is identified only as Jane Doe to protect her anonymity. The renewed probe aims to determine whether the drug facilitated the alleged assault and to hold responsible parties accountable.
Celebrity Use and Cultural Impact
Public figures have drawn attention to ketamine’s therapeutic and recreational dimensions. Elon Musk disclosed that he receives a prescription for the drug, takes it roughly once every other week, and says it eases a “negative chemical state” in his mind. The death of Matthew Perry in October 2023 was linked to a ketamine infusion he was undergoing for mental‑health treatment, highlighting potential dangers when the substance is used outside medical supervision. Comedian Pete Davidson has spoken about prior abuse of ketamine before seeking help, and Sharon Osbourne revealed she used the therapy to navigate a difficult period after leaving her television role. These high‑profile cases illustrate both the perceived benefits and the serious risks associated with the drug.
Why it Matters
The escalation of ketamine misuse, highlighted by a high‑profile campus assault, signals a broader public‑health challenge that could undermine efforts to combat drug‑facilitated sexual violence and strain emergency services; robust legal action and preventive education are essential to protect vulnerable populations and preserve trust in medical uses of the medication.
