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

The growing availability of these substances is worsening the already bad problem of sexual assault on campus.

By: Christopher P. Holstege, University of Virginia, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: October 15, 2026

Words: 1,125

Last Updated: 1 day, 16 hours ago

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By Christopher P. Holstege, University of Virginia

Former Cornell student Jane Doe, who filed a civil lawsuit in September 2026 alleging that seven fraternity members raped her at a party, said the young men who assaulted her pressured her into taking the drug ketamine.

As an emergency room physician, medical toxicologist and the head of student health services at the University of Virginia, I have had a front-row seat to the growing …

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