Ketamine, an anesthetic used by veterinarians as a horse tranquilizer, but becoming increasingly common on Britain's dance scene, is to be made illegal. Nicknamed "special K", is currently legal but will become a Class C drug on January 1, 2012.
In September, charity DrugScope revealed the gaining popularity of the hallucinogen in the UK. Researchers surveying drug prices in 15 towns and cities found ketamine on sale in eight.
"Although ketamine use is relatively low in the UK, there has been an increase in use by clubbers in recent years," Home Office minister Paul Goggins said.
"Ketamine presents serious health risks and must be subject to strict controls to provide a considerable deterrent to those seeking to import and supply the drug."
Ketamine is a general anesthetic which has been used in hospitals and in veterinary medicine since the 1970s.
Among recreational users it can be taken in powder, tablet or liquid form.
Effects depend on the dose but users report euphoria, hallucinations and "dissociative" feelings in which mind and body seem to separate.
Ketamine can be dangerous when taken in conjunction with alcohol or other depressants, and users can be unable to move or feel pain while on the drug.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that ketamine use has been gradually increasing for several years - particularly on the gay scene - but it has recently become popular among mainstream club-goers.