Ketamine conquers the Balkans - twice cheaper than cocaine, use rises 41 percent

Ketamine is rapidly conquering European cities, with Zagreb and Split ranking among the top 20 cities for illegal substance use, according to the annual wastewater analysis.

Ketamine use in Europe has risen by 41 percent, and this dissociative drug is twice cheaper than cocaine - just 40 euros per gram, making it exceptionally accessible.

An additional problem is the fact that ketamine production is not banned, as it has legitimate medical use as an anesthetic. This significantly facilitates its availability on the illegal market.

Experts warn that ketamine has devastating effects on the kidneys and the nervous system. The growth trend is alarming for the Western Balkans region as well, where drug smugglers are using increasingly sophisticated distribution methods.