Doctor who administered ketamine to Matthew Perry sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison

Matthew Perry, known for his role in "Friends," passed away due to the acute effects of ketamine, according to a 2023 coroner's report. In his 2022 memoir, Perry described his experiences with ketamine, explaining that it caused him to feel dissociated.

The physician responsible for prescribing the drug to Perry in the month preceding his death was sentenced to 2 years in prison. Salvador Plasencia, 44, who operated a clinic in Calabasas, California, met Perry on September 30, 2023, through a referral from one of his patients, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.

Plasencia, also known as Dr. P, pleaded guilty in July to four counts of ketamine distribution and gave up his medical license as part of a plea deal. He is the first among five defendants to be sentenced in the case.

After their initial meeting, Plasencia provided Perry and his assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, with 20 vials, multiple tablets of ketamine, and syringes. Perry, who had openly discussed his struggles with substance abuse in his book "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," died on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54.

Analysis: The Circumstances Behind Matthew Perry’s Death

The recent coroner’s report confirms that Matthew Perry’s death was caused by the acute effects of ketamine. This aligns with his own accounts in his 2022 memoir, where he described dissociative experiences linked to the drug.

The legal proceedings following Perry’s death highlight accountability in prescription practices. Salvador Plasencia, the physician who supplied Perry with ketamine in the month before his passing, has been sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts of drug distribution and surrendering his medical license.

Evidence presented shows that Plasencia provided Perry and his assistant with large quantities of ketamine, underscoring the risks associated with unregulated or excessive access to controlled substances. This case serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing challenges in monitoring prescription drug use and the responsibilities of medical practitioners.

Sources:

• Doctor who gave Matthew Perry ketamine was sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison

Author: Ethan Caldwell
Ethan Caldwell is an experienced reporter with 10 years covering international news. He specializes in politics and economics, with strong investigative journalism and analytical writing skills.