The UK Government is considering reclassifying ketamine amid a surge in its use, raising safety concerns among officials and health experts.
Manchester: So, ketamine is in the spotlight right now. The UK Government is thinking about bumping it up to a class A drug because more and more people are using it. Can you believe that around 299,000 folks aged 16 to 59 admitted to using it last year? That’s a lot!
Dame Diana Johnson, the policing minister, is asking for advice on whether they should change its classification. She’s promised to really think about what the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has to say. It’s a big deal, especially since ketamine is sometimes mixed with this stuff called “pink cocaine.”
If they do reclassify it, the penalties could get pretty serious. Right now, if you’re caught producing or supplying ketamine, you could face up to 14 years in prison. Yikes!
This whole conversation started after a coroner brought up the need to reevaluate the drug’s status. A man named James Boland from Manchester died from complications linked to long-term ketamine use. It’s a sad story that’s got people thinking twice about the drug.
The coroner warned that keeping ketamine as a class B drug might give people the wrong idea, making them think it’s not that harmful. That’s a scary thought, right? It could lead more people to try it, thinking it’s safer than it really is.
Dame Diana is really concerned about the rise in ketamine use. She’s calling it “extremely dangerous” and wants to make sure they’re doing everything they can to keep people safe. It sounds like they’re ready to take action and listen to the experts before making any final decisions.
