Advice sought on upgrading ketamine to Class A
Ketamine could be upgraded to a Class A drug as the Government seeks expert advice on its classification, the Home Office has said.
Illicit use of the drug has reached record levels in recent years, with an estimated 269,000 people aged 16–59 reporting ketamine use in the year ending March 2024.
Increasing the classification of ketamine would bring it in line with drugs including cocaine, heroin and ecstasy (MDMA) and make supply and production punishable by up to life in prison.
The police minister will ask the Advisory Council on Drug Misuse whether its classification should be changed and “consider carefully” its findings.
Ketamine can cause serious health problems, including irreversible damage to the bladder and kidneys.
It is one of the drugs most commonly found in spiking incidents.
While commonly used in animal and health care settings, ketamine is also considered a party drug due to its hallucinogenic effects.
An estimated 299,000 people aged 16-59 reported ketamine use in the year ending March 2023 – the highest on record.
ketamine was Upgraded from Class C substance in 2014 due to increasing evidence on its physical and psychological dangers.
Currently, the maximum penalty for producing and supplying ketamine is up to 14 years in prison. Possession is punishable by up to five years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.
Should it be upgraded to a Class A drug, The punishment for its supply and production may extend to life imprisonment, Whereas possession is punishable with imprisonment up to seven years, an unlimited fine or both.
Following the death of a man from sepsis due to a kidney infection, the coroner’s prevention of future deaths report called for action on the classification of the drug. “Complications of long-term use of ketamine”.
Alison Mutch, senior coroner for Greater Manchester South, said James Boland, 38, started taking the drug because he believed it was “less harmful” than Class A drugs.
He wrote In November: “Retaining its classification as a Class B drug may encourage others to begin using it or continue using it under the false impression that it is “safe”.”
Police Minister Dame Diana Johnson has promised to “work across health, policing and wider public services to reduce drug use and stop those profiting from its supply.
“It is important that 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 decisions.”
