TEENAGERS have been seeking help after getting hooked on a horse tranquilliser which is being used as a cheap alternative to cocaine.

Police and youth drugs groups said the misuse of hallucinogenic drug ketamine had soared in the past year.

Arrests for possession of the class C drug, used by vets as a horse tranquilliser, anaesthetic or as an anti-depressant, have risen in Oxfordshire by almost 50 per cent.

Youth drugs referral team Evolve has also reported an increase in the number of children aged between 11 and 18 needing addiction treatment or suffering side-effects caused by the drug - which can cause kidney failure.

PC Leigh Thompson, drugs co-ordinator for Oxfordshire, said: “We have got intelligence reports from across the county and information that there is a marked increase in the abuse of ketamine, especially in young people.

“We are mainly talking about the outer areas and rural areas.

“It is popular with younger people probably because it is cheaper than other drugs.

“It is the drug of choice at the moment but next year it might be something else. We are working with young people about the choice and consequences of taking any substance, not only ketamine.”

The drug costs just £15 a gram in some areas of Oxfordshire, compared to £50 for a gram of cocaine.

Between April 2008 and March 2009 there were 92 arrests for possession of ketamine, including 22 in Oxford, 19 in West Oxfordshire and Cherwell and 51 in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse.

In the same period between 2007 and 2008 when there were 63 arrests — 29 fewer.

Evolve, based in Osney Mead, Oxford, treats up to 40 new cases for drug and alcohol misuse aged between 11 and 18 every month.

Team leader Nicola Marshall said there had been an increase in the number of children referred by their family, friends or doctors for ketamine addiction, but could not provide exact figures.

The drug – which is a powder and usually snorted – causes stomach cramps, inflamed bladder, kidney infection or failure.

She added: “There are many young people experimenting with ketamine.

“Primarily for young people the drug of choice is cannabis and alcohol but ketamine is very often their second drug of choice.

“Most of our referrals are for drugs and alcohol but ketamine is on the increase.

Possession of ketamine can land the user a jail term of up to two years. Dealers can be sentenced to 14 years.

Young people can get drugs advice by contacting FRANK on 0800 77 66 00.