UK Government Orders Review to Reclassify Ketamine as Class A Drug

Policing minister cites record usage and health risks as key factors in seeking expert advice on potential reclassification.

Ketamine, currently a Class B drug, is under review for reclassification to Class A, which could increase penalties for possession, production, and supply.
The Home Office reported a record 299,000 users aged 16 to 59 in the year ending March 2023, prompting concerns over rising misuse.
Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson has requested advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to assess health and social harms linked to ketamine.
Recent cases, including a coroner's report linking long-term ketamine use to a fatal kidney infection, have highlighted the drug's severe health risks.
Critics argue that stricter classification may deter individuals from seeking help, emphasizing the need for education and support alongside legal measures.