2000-01-21                     House Journal                      Page 1956
HB 293                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 293 by the House Rules Committee by request of                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                        

2000-01-21                     House Journal                      Page 1957
HB 293                                                                       
"An Act designating ketamine hydrochloride as a schedule IVA                  
controlled substance; and providing for an effective date."                    
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance              
Committees.                                                                    
                                                                               
The following fiscal notes apply:                                              
                                                                               
Indeterminate fiscal note, Dept. of Administration, 1/21/00                    
Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Corrections, 1/21/00                                
Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Law, 1/21/00                                        
Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Public Safety, 1/21/00                              
                                                                               
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 18, 2000, appears              
below:                                                                         
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                          
                                                                               
As part of the state's continuing efforts to control drug abuse, I am          
transmitting a bill that adds ketamine hydrochloride as a Schedule IVA         
controlled substance to the Alaska statutes relating to misconduct             
involving controlled substances.                                               
                                                                               
Ketamine hydrochloride is a synthetic drug that was developed in the           
1960s as an anesthetic.  It is commonly used by veterinarians.  It was         
used as an anesthetic on the battlefield during the Vietnam War and            
considered a desirable anesthetic under battlefield conditions because         
it takes effect quickly and is remains effective for a relatively short        
period.  However, experience with the drug has shown that upon                 
awakening, humans often experience hallucinations, agitation, and              
delirium.  Currently the drug is being abused because of these side            
effects.                                                                       
                                                                               
Ketamine hydrochloride has been listed as a controlled substance in            
other states such as New York, California, New Jersey, and Illinois,           
where abuse of the drug is prevalent.  Although the drug is not yet            
common in Alaska, a veterinary clinic in Fairbanks was recently                
burglarized, and one of the alleged perpetrators admitted that the             
purpose of the break-in was to steal ketamine hydrochloride.  Adding           

2000-01-21                     House Journal                      Page 1958
HB 293                                                                       
the drug to scheduled controlled substances will give law enforcement          
the necessary tool to help control its abuse in our state.                     
                                                                               
I urge your prompt and favorable consideration of this bill.                   
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"