The issue of airway reflexes should be evaluated carefully when using ketamine. Sure the PDR states that ketamine leaves airway reflexes intact. I have said this before and I am going to say it again, the public should be very concerned about non-anesthetists using drugs that are considered anesthetics. Consistently, statements are made that these drugs should not be used by medical professionals who are not trained in the delivery of anesthetics and airway management. In my opinion, it is perfectly OK for non-anesthetists to use some of these drugs in very low doses for sedation.
Good docs do so all of the time.
This is unsafe. Look in the medical literature related to anesthesia assisted detoxification. Legarda used anesthetic doses of midazolam and called it sedation. Then take a look at the PDR, or ask your anesthesiologist colleagues what the anesthesia induction dose of propofol is. The small amount of benzos prevent adults from getting scared and reacting violently.