Ketamine’s role in alleged Cornell rape highlights flood of psychoactive drugs on campus

Ketamine and a range of other psychoactive substances are being implicated in a surge of alleged sexual assaults on college campuses nationwide, according to a former Cornell student who filed a civil lawsuit in September 2026. These drugs, which can be difficult to detect in standard drug screenings, are becoming increasingly prevalent on university grounds, posing significant risks to student health and safety.

Researchers are uncertain about the extent of their use, as most hospitals lack the capability to identify such substances through regular screenings. Ketamine, first synthesized in 1962 and approved for medical use in 1970, has seen a resurgence in recreational use since the 1980s, often referred to as "Special K." It is now sold under various slang names and is also being used off-label to treat certain psychiatric conditions.

However, the drug's increasing availability and misuse have led to a doubling of ketamine-related poisonings in the U.S. between 2019 and 2023. The drug's dissociative effects, potential for coma at high doses, and myriad side effects make it a concerning factor in sexual assaults. Its surreptitious administration, either voluntarily or through covert means, can severely impair a victim's ability to consent and may also impair their memory of the event, complicating reporting and recovery efforts.