The UK government is set to review the legal classification of ketamine in response to alarming increases in its misuse and associated health risks. Currently a Class B substance, ketamine could be reclassified as Class A—a status reserved for the most hazardous drugs—following expert advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).
With ketamine use now at record levels, the move reflects growing concern about its impact on public health and safety. Between April 2022 and March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16-59 reported using the drug in the past year, the highest figure on record for England and Wales. Once considered a niche substance, ketamine is now commonly associated with serious health consequences, including irreversible bladder and kidney damage. It is also frequently detected in incidents of drug spiking, posing a further risk to public wellbeing.
Alarmingly, ketamine has been identified as a component of ‘pink cocaine,’ a reckless concoction of synthetic compounds taken by users unaware of its perilous contents. This highlights the urgent need for stronger measures to combat the growing misuse.
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson expressed the necessity of this review, calling ketamine “an extremely dangerous substance” and emphasising the government’s commitment to ensuring public safety. She confirmed that independent experts will assess the drug’s wider social and health effects before any changes to legislation.
If reclassified to Class A, penalties for producing or supplying ketamine could rise to life imprisonment, underscoring the seriousness of this review. This is a vital opportunity to curb the normalisation of harmful substances and protect communities from the far-reaching consequences of drug misuse.
The ACMD has been tasked with providing clear evidence on ketamine’s risks, with the findings expected to shape the government’s decision. The Home Office’s review signifies an important step in tackling this escalating issue that threatens the health and security of individuals across the UK.
Source: GOV.UK
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