2000-01-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 2007
SB 200                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 200 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                              
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
An Act designating ketamine hydrochloride as a                                
schedule IVA controlled substance; and providing                               
for an effective date.                                                         

2000-01-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 2008
SB 200                                                                       
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance              
Committees.                                                                    
                                                                               
Indeterminate fiscal note published today from Department of                   
Administration. Zero fiscal notes published today from Department              
of Corrections, Department of Law, Department of Public Safety.                
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated January 18:                                 
                                                                               
Dear President Pearce:                                                         
                                                                               
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            
the drug to scheduled controlled substances will give law                      
enforcement the necessary tool to help control its abuse in our state.         
                                                                               
                                                                               

2000-01-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 2009
SB 200                                                                       
I urge your prompt and favorable consideration of this bill.                   
                                                                               
					Sincerely,                                                                
					/s/                                                                       
					Tony Knowles                                                              
					Governor