The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has rejected a ketamine reclassification to Class A, drawing immediate criticism from the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC). David Sidwick, the APCC’s joint lead on Addictions and Substance Misuse, says the decision sends entirely the wrong message about a drug that is destroying young lives across the country.

‘A Dangerous Misconception’ About Ketamine Reclassification

“This decision fails to reflect the clear and escalating harm ketamine is causing in our communities, particularly among young people,” Commissioner Sidwick said. “It risks perpetuating the dangerous misconception that this is a low-risk substance.”

The numbers tell a stark story. Ketamine use among 16 to 24-year-olds has exploded by 231% since 2013. Since the drug moved to Class B in 2014, 244 death certificates have cited it as a cause of death. Annual deaths involving ketamine have risen more than tenfold, from 15 in 2014 to a projected 197 in 2024. Police now report children as young as 12 using the drug. The NHS has opened specialist ketamine clinics across England to meet growing clinical demand.

Commissioner Sidwick argues that a ketamine Class A upgrade would do more than shift a legal label. It would sharpen public awareness of the risks, strengthen deterrence, and direct greater resources towards enforcement, treatment, and prevention.

Why a Ketamine Class A Upgrade Would Change the Picture

The ACMD’s recommendation was not unanimous. Commissioner Sidwick and the APCC say that fact alone warrants further scrutiny. They are now calling on the government to overrule the advisory body. Ministers have done this before. In 2023, they acted against ACMD guidance to bring nitrous oxide under legal control.

“Increasing the classification to Class A matters,” Commissioner Sidwick said. “It supports higher prioritisation for enforcement attention and funding for treatment and prevention of harms. By not making this vital change, we are missing a critical opportunity.”

The APCC warns that if current trends continue, hospital admissions, deaths, and the overall costs to society will rise further. Ketamine causes serious urological damage with prolonged use. Some chronic users need bladder removal. At high doses, the drug can cause fatal complications. A Class B label, critics say, simply does not communicate that level of risk.

A Growing Burden on Communities and Services

Ketamine is cheap and easy to obtain. Young people typically start using it around age 14, according to recent research. Use cuts across social settings, from festivals to some of the most deprived communities in England. The burden falls on families, on policing, and on an NHS already under pressure.

Commissioner Sidwick was direct: “Across the country we are seeing devastating consequences of ketamine misuse on families and communities. It is a cheap drug that is easily accessible, with police reporting usage among children as young as 12.”

The debate over ketamine reclassification sits within a wider tension in UK drug policy. The ACMD draws on scientific and medical expertise. But police and commissioners say the evidence from frontline communities tells a different story, one that the current Class B status fails to reflect.

What Happens Next?

The government has the power to act independently of the ACMD. Whether ministers pursue a ketamine Class A upgrade or choose instead to invest in education and early intervention remains to be seen.

Commissioner Sidwick urged action either way. “If the government does not decide to reclassify, we urge ministers to prioritise funding and interventions to prevent young people from turning to ketamine in the first place.”

The status quo is not working. Use is rising. Deaths are climbing. And communities are paying the price.

Source: dbrecoveryresources