POLK COUNTY, Fla. - According to a harm reduction specialist, the illicit use of ketamine is on the rise in Polk County .

The backstory:

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has hallucinogenic effects. It already has a "party drug" status, but Becca Smith, a program specialist with the Florida Harm Reduction Collective, said it's becoming more readily available on the streets of Polk County as we see a rise in at-home and telehealth treatment.

"It's definitely more popular now as a more prevalent treatment for depression, so some people are getting their prescriptions and selling them," said Smith, who is also a Baycare outreach peer.

Smith sees around 100 participants a month in the county. She helps them get into recovery and promotes safe usage for those struggling. She ha

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