The government is exploring reclassifying ketamine as a class A drug due to rising illegal use.
Manchester: So, it looks like ketamine might be getting a serious upgrade in its classification. The government is thinking about making it a class A drug after seeing a huge spike in its use.
Last year, around 299,000 folks aged 16 to 59 reported using ketamine, which is currently a class B drug. That’s a lot of people! The Home Office is taking this seriously and wants to get some expert advice on the matter.
Dame Diana Johnson, the policing minister, is reaching out to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to see if they think a change is necessary. She’s all about making sure they consider the latest evidence before making any decisions.
One of the reasons for this push is that ketamine has been linked to “pink cocaine,” a mix of drugs that’s been causing some real issues. The penalties for producing or supplying ketamine are pretty steep, with a maximum of 14 years in prison.
This conversation started after a coroner raised concerns following a man’s death linked to ketamine use. The coroner, Alison Mutch, pointed out that keeping it as a class B drug might give people the wrong idea about its safety.
Dame Diana is really worried about the rise in ketamine use. She’s committed to making the streets safer and is working across health and policing sectors to tackle drug use effectively.
It’s clear that the government is taking this situation seriously, and they want to ensure people’s safety while considering all the latest advice.
