Ketamine could be reclassified as class A drug after illegal use surges to record levels

7 January 2025, 17:33 | Updated: 7 January 2025, 17:48

COLOMBIA-DRUG-MARKETS
Ketamine could be reclassified as a class A drug. Picture: Getty

By Flaminia Luck

Ketamine could be reclassified as a class A drug as the Government seeks expert advice after illegal use surged to record levels.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

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 asking whether its classification should be changed and "carefully consider" its findings.

The Home Office cited recent reports suggesting the substance is often found in so-called "pink cocaine", a synthetic cocktail of drugs, as it announced the move.

The maximum penalty for producing and supplying ketamine is up to 14 years in prison.

Ketamine clinic in Boulder
The maximum penalty for producing and supplying ketamine is up to 14 years in prison. Picture: Getty

The move comes after a coroner wrote to the Home Secretary in November calling for action over the classification of the drug following a man's death.

Greater Manchester South senior coroner Alison Mutch found that James Boland, 38, from Manchester, had died of sepsis caused by a kidney infection that was "a complication of long-term use of ketamine".

In a prevention of future deaths report, she said keeping ketamine as class B would be "likely to encourage others to start to use it or continue to use it under the false impression it is 'safer'".

Read more: Schoolboy, 14, stabbed to death on bus in southeast London as police launch manhunt

Read more: Desperate search launched after two Brits vanish hiking in Italy's Dolomite mountains

'Extremely dangerous'

Dame Diana said: "Ketamine is an extremely dangerous substance and the recent rise in its use is deeply concerning.

"Through our Plan for Change and mission to make the nation's streets safer, we will work across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use and stop those who profit from its supply.

"It is vital we are responding to all the latest evidence and advice to ensure people's safety and we will carefully consider the ACMD's recommendations before making any decision."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Julie Goodyear

Julie Goodyear's husband shares rare photo of Coronation Street star two years on from dementia diagnosis

: An aerial view shows the scorched graveyard around a church following a large blaze the previous day, on July 20, 2022 in Wennington, Greater London

Londoners urged not to have barbecues this weekend amid soaring temperatures 'because of wildfire risk'

Lord Sugar labels Trump tariffs 'a disaster' as Apprentice star teases potential US Presidential meeting

Lord Sugar labels Trump tariffs 'a disaster' - as Apprentice star teases potential US Presidential meeting

Mother and two children struck and killed by a vehicle in Brooklyn, New York: driver operating suspended license

Husband left 'utterly bereft' after Brit mum and two daughters killed in New York car crash

The Nintendo Switch 2 will release on June 5, 2025

Nintendo Switch 2: Exciting reveal, but why is it more expensive here?

BRITAIN-FUNERAL-POLICE

Funeral director charged with 64 offences including fraud, theft and preventing 30 lawful burials

swallow-tail

Brits urged to 'stop mowing lawns' amid 'national butterfly crisis' with more than half of species in decline

Kyle Kitchen, 38, murdered eight-week-old Primose Kane

Dad who murdered daughter by violently shaking her as baby is jailed for life

Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations in Gaza

Israel expands ground attack on Gaza to seize 'large areas' - despite pleas from hostage families

Douglas Clifton Brown, 56, tried to kill his estranged wife

Old Etonian who tried to murder his estranged partner by throwing her down a 240ft well is jailed for 24 years

Kaliyah Coa, 11, was reportedly down at the water when she was 'swept away'

Pictured: Missing 11-year-old 'swept away' while paddling in the River Thames

Hot cross buns could be scarce this Easter as farmers continue to protest against Rachel Reeves' 'tractor tax'.

Hot cross bun shortage looms as farmers escalate 'tractor tax' protests

Tanesha Melbourne-Blake was shot

Teenage girl shot dead during gang 'ride-out' following social media humiliation

Mother and two children struck and killed by a vehicle in Brooklyn, New York: driver operating suspended license

Brit mum and daughters, eight and five, killed in crash by driver who said 'I have the devil in me'

Deborah Gosling, donor Julie Wild’s twin sister, greets Corinne Hutton in an emotional first meeting

Hand transplant recipient hugs donor's sister in emotional first meeting

One Newcastle Fan proved his devotion to his club by getting a QR code tattoo - linking to a video of their cup final goal.

Newcastle Fan has QR code tattooed on leg linking to video of cup final goal - but rival fans work to get clip taken down