A new billboard recently appeared on the corner of High Park Way and SW Higgins Avenue here in Missoula.
The top of the billboard reads that “depression and suicide are real”, and I totally agree with this.
What I don’t agree with is the bottom of the billboard, which says that “Ketamine works.”
The top of the billboard reads that “depression and suicide are real”, and I totally agree with this.
What I don’t agree with is the bottom of the billboard, which says that “Ketamine works.”
Ketamine...you mean the horse tranquilizer that many people illegally use to get high?
I think this is sending a terrible message.
I think many parents cringe when they drive by this billboard, especially when they have kids in the car that can read it and ask questions.
The company that purchased the billboard advertising space is Big Sky Ketamine, based out of Kalispell.
I thought their logo looked familiar.
Big Sky Ketamine charges $3,000 for their ‘therapy,’ and most of the reviews on Google are negative.
Patients are “getting treatments they may not need or that don’t work, or they’re getting more than they needed,” said Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman, psychiatrist-in-chief of Columbia University Medical Center. One of the biggest risks from the explosion in ketamine use, he added, is “people getting fleeced.”
$3,000 that Kalispell clinic is charging...yet average Ketamine ‘treatment’ regimens in the rest of the country cost $350 to $1,000.
Perhaps the $3,000 is for a round of treatments. I guess you just have to keep paying indefinitely. Kind of a depressing thought.
Neuragain is the parent company Big Sky Ketamine. They’re based out of Massachusetts, and all calls to Big Sky Ketamine’s clinic actually go to that state.
I really don’t think this clinic cares about Montanans.
One person that visited the clinic said:
“I did 5 of the 6 treatments, which feels like a psychedelic trip while you are doing it. May work for some, but the 4th and 5th time was like a bad trip for me. I was not able to do the last one. I asked up front about the refund policy and they said I would be reimbursed for any treatments I didn't do. I was given a refund of 200.00. 200 x 6 + 250 consultation fee comes out to 1450.00. The treatments cost 3,000.00. ?? I got A's in math, but still not sure how that works out. Julie explained it was because I was not getting a free consultation unless I did all 6 treatments. The math from my point of view still doesn't work out. I guess it works out for them though. The point is I asked before hand and they should just be upfront about how the refund is broken down. As far as the consultation it took about 3 minutes on a skype call seconds before the infusion. The doctor did say he would meet after the treatments if you wanted which I did, but that was optional. That was my experience.”
Big Sky Ketamine admits on their website that they actually give this drug to 12-year-olds.
I don’t think this billboard is a good idea. I don’t think using Ketamine to treat depression is a good idea.
I feel sorry for all the parents driving by this billboard with their kids in the car, reading it and wondering.
I hope the billboard ad is removed, but I doubt it will be.
