There are growing concerns over the illegal use of ketamine by young people.
New figures show five deaths were recorded in connection with the drug between 2018 and 2020.
The horse tranquiliser has recently been used to treat depression in humans, but has been linked to a rise in admissions to drug-treatment facilities.
Dr. Garrett McGovern, a GP specialising in addiction medicine, says the effects of the drug can be dangerous when used incorrectly:
"With low doses, it causes stimulant-like effects, and later it can cause psychedelic-like effects. Unfortunately, it does have side-effects and that's really what the big worry is. It can affect cognition, can cause seizures. It can have awful effects on the bladder and sometimes resulting in renal failure or kidney failure. The risk of death on its own is fairly low, but it's being increasingly used now with other drugs such as cocaine, alcohol".
