Government Seeks Expert Advice on Ketamine Classification
The government has announced its plans to seek expert advice on the classification of the drug ketamine. The drug is currently classified as a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, but the government is considering whether it should be moved to the more tightly regulated Class A group.
This news has been covered by various media outlets, including the BBC, at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8306prgy6o.
Fiona Spargo-Mabbs, Director, Founder and mother of Dan from the DSM Foundation, said: “Ketamine is regularly mentioned by 15-18 year olds as one of the main substances used by their peers, after more widely available drugs such as alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis. Our survey of over 2,100 young people revealed that around 18% named ketamine as a commonly used drug in their age group. This highlights the need for relevant and up-to-date drug education for young people so they can make informed and empowered decisions.”
The decision to seek advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) was prompted by an increase in the prevalence of ketamine in the UK in recent years. It was also influenced by concerns raised by Senior Coroner Alison Mutch, who investigated the ketamine-related death of James Boland in October 2024. It was found that ketamine, a Class B drug, had been chosen over Class A drugs due to the perception that it was less risky, resulting in tragic consequences. In the year ending March 2024, nearly 270,000 people aged 16 to 59 in England and Wales reported using ketamine in the past 12 months, putting them at risk of serious health problems such as damage to the bladder and kidneys.
Ketamine is also one of the drugs most commonly involved in spiking incidents. It has also been linked to “pink cocaine”, a dangerous combination of drugs that was recently in the news following the death of One Direction singer Liam Payne.
The DSM Foundation has resources available on ketamine for young people and adults on their website at https://www.dsmfoundation.org.uk/.
The DSM Foundation is a drug education charity that was established in 2014 after the accidental overdose of 16-year-old Daniel Spargo-Mabbs. The foundation aims to provide young people with relevant and evidence-based information about drugs so they can make informed decisions and keep themselves and their friends safe. The foundation currently works with almost 750 schools, colleges, and community organizations to provide education on drugs. They also offer workshops for parents and caregivers, as well as training for school staff. For more information about the DSM Foundation, visit their website at https://www.dsmfoundation.org.uk/.
For media inquiries about this press release or the work of the DSM Foundation, please contact media@dsmfoundation.org.uk.
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