Government will do ‘whatever it takes’ to clamp down on ketamine use
Share:
The Government will do “whatever it takes” to clamp down on the use of ketamine, a Cabinet minister has told MPs. Leader of the House of Commons Lucy Powell said many members see the “real, dangerous impact” of increased use of the drug, as ministers seek advice as to whether it should be reclassified as a class A drug.
In the year ending March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance, which is currently controlled as class B, according to the Home Office. Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson will write to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to ask whether its classification should be changed and will “carefully consider” its findings.
Labour MP for Bangor Aberconwy, Claire Hughes, told the Commons during Business Questions on Thursday that parents in her constituency are “deeply worried about the prevalence of ketamine” in the community. She said: “Staff at our local hospital tell me that an increasing number of young people are presenting with serious harm caused by the drug, including life-lasting bladder damage.
“Use of ketamine by young people in the UK is estimated to have tripled since 2016 so I was really pleased to read this week that the policing minister has sought advice on upgrading ketamine. “Will the Leader of the House join me in condemning criminals who peddle drugs to children, such as ketamine, and grant a debate on the important issue of tackling drug use among young people?”.
