Federal prosecutors have charged five individuals in an alleged scheme to provide the late actor Matthew Perry with ketamine in the months before his death last year. Those charged include two doctors, a woman known as the “Ketamine Queen”, a former film director, and Perry’s assistant. They face accusations of conspiring to illegally distribute ketamine to Perry, who had long struggled with substance abuse issues.
The case claims those involved prioritized profits over Perry’s well-being as his addiction worsened. Court documents describe a troubling scenario where one doctor reportedly called Perry a “moron” and suppliers used his famous character name from Friends. Prosecutors say Perry began ketamine therapy for depression and anxiety at a local clinic but later got higher doses from other sources when the clinic refused.
Doctors Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez are accused of providing Perry 20 vials of ketamine for $55,000 in cash, even though the vials only cost $12 each. Texts cited in court showed Plasencia discussing how much to charge Perry and wanting to be his primary supplier. As Perry’s addiction intensified, his assistant Kenneth Iwamasa and others allegedly obtained thousands of dollars worth of ketamine for him in the month before he died.
Perry passed away last October at his Los Angeles home from effects of ketamine. While the treatment shows promise, experts say risks include addiction if misused without medical supervision. Dr. Robert McCarron of UC Irvine noted Perry likely misunderstood ketamine dangers, quoting him as saying “He didn’t go to medical school. He probably figured it made him feel good…”. Questions have also been raised about Perry’s suitability as a candidate given his substance abuse history.
The case serves as a reminder of addiction’s complexities and the need to protect vulnerable individuals from potential exploitation during treatment. The charges aim to ensure proper oversight and ethical care for those struggling with substance use disorders.
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