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Snapshot 4:Thu, Aug 15, 2024 9:08:01 PM GMT last edited by JoeSpinosa

Five Arrested in Connection to Matthew Perry's Death

Five Arrested Overin Connection to Matthew Perry's Death

Above: Matthew Perry attends the GQ Men of the Year Party 2022 at The West Hollywood EDITION on November 17, 2022 in West Hollywood, California. Image copyright: *** GETTY *** Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for GQ

The Facts

  • Five people were arrested and charged on Thursday in connection with the months-long investigation into the death of "Friends" actor Matthew Perry last year from "acute effects" of ketamine.Five people were arrested and charged on Thursday in connection with the months-long investigation into the death of "Friends" star Matthew Perry last year from "acute effects" of ketamine.

  • Three of them, including his personal assistant and Dr. Mark Chavez, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, and two others — Jasveen Sangha, alias "The Ketamine Queen," and Dr. Salvador Plasencia — were set to be arraigned later on Thursday.Three of them, including his personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and Dr. Mark Chavez, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, and two others — Jasveen Sangha, alias "The Ketamine Queen," and Dr. Salvador Plasencia — were set to be arraigned later on Thursday.


The Spin

Despite last year's fatal overdose of Matthew Perry triggering panic at infusion centers in Los Angeles and prompting safety worries among patients, this tragedy has actually nothing to do with ketamine medical treatment. In fact, controlled doses of ketamine have proven to be a promising tool to fight drug addiction.

The FDA approved ketamine as a general anesthetic in 1970, so it would be odd to deny that this drug can be safe and even highly effective if used under careful medical supervision. The death of Matthew Perry, however, demonstrates the risks of individuals using ketamine at home and alone.


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