Increase in young people taking Ketamine prompts health warning

Together, the adult drug and alcohol treatment service, has seen a 53 per cent increase in the number of young adults reporting Ketamine use since August 2022. The figures also suggest that a higher percentage of people in Devon are using Ketamine.

The warning follows Together, the adult drug and alcohol treatment service, seeing a 53 per cent increase in the number of young adults reporting Ketamine use since August 2022.

The figures also suggest that a higher percentage of people in Devon are using Ketamine, compared to the national average and that the drug is most commonly used by people under 25s.

Some Devon schools have also reported incidents in and out of school of young people, who have not been in trouble at school before, experimenting with the drug.

Local treatment services, Y-SMART, which supports young people, and Together, which supports adults, say that the increase is partly due to the affordability of the drug.

Together report 20 cases in the six months from August 2022 to February 2023 in which Ketamine was recorded, compared to 13 cases during the previous six months.

Ketamine – also known as K, Special K, Super K, Vitamin K, Ketalar, or Ketaset – is a Class B controlled drug. Possession and supply of it is illegal.

It affects the brain and the body, reducing awareness, sensitivity to pain, and coordination.

Users can feel disorientated, with distorted senses of the body and limbs, and increased risk of vomiting and nausea.

People can feel paralysed and find movement difficult or impossible, and at higher doses, hallucinations are much more likely.

There’s also growing evidence that Ketamine is linked to long term bladder damage, with some people having had catheters fitted while others have needed to have their bladders completely removed.

Though not physically addictive, reports of profound negative mental health symptoms are common.

The figures have prompted Public Health Devon and Devon and Cornwall Police to warn that taking Ketamine should be avoided due to the risk of serious harm and have issued the following guidance to anyone who has used the drug:

If you experience any problems relating to bladder health you should seek medical help promptly

Ketamine is likely to cause disorientation and could leave people vulnerable. Using Ketamine in unfamiliar, crowded or hazardous environments further increases risk. Use in club settings, squat parties or festivals are especially risky in terms of injury or risk of assault

If you already suffer from depression or anxiety, then you should avoid the use of Ketamine for risk of acerbating the symptoms

Avoid using with other drugs including alcohol as risk of harm is increased

Eating before Ketamine increases the chance of choking on vomit, if hallucinating and paralysed and unable to clear one’s throat

If you think that you have had Ketamine in error, get yourself in to an environment where you feel safe, with a trusted friend as soon as possible or seek medical help

If you find anyone unresponsive, place in the recovery position and dial 999

The rise in reported use of Ketamine among young people in Devon has led to increased efforts by local agencies to address it.

Y-SMART is to provide targeted support to secondary schools where required and they want to work with young people who would like to get involved in creating resources that help inform other young people about the drug 

Secondary schools will be asked to share information to parents and their students about the risks of using Ketamine

And Community Safety Partnerships in Devon ‘Let’s Talk Teenagers’ programmes, providing information and guidance to parents of teenagers (and pre-teens), will include specific reference to Ketamine use in their programmes from now on.

Steve Brown, Chair of Devon’s Drug and Alcohol Strategic Partnership, said:

“We know that schools in Devon are already addressing the subject in classroom discussions and in school assemblies. And we know that youth groups and other organisations that support young people are also having those conversations.

“But we want those conversations to also happen at home. It’s important for parents and carers to stay as informed as possible, and that way they are better placed to help young people make the right choices.

“More information about Katamine is available on the Talk To Frank website.

“We will continue to monitor the local data and will review the additional steps that are being taken in Devon to make sure that they’re addressing the rise in reported use of Ketamine.”

Devon and Cornwall Police are asking anyone with intelligence about the supply of Ketamine and any other illicit substances to report it by calling 101, or via their website. All information will be treated confidentially and with anonymity.

If you are an adult and would like advice or support about drugs or alcohol, please contact Together Devon on 0800 233 5444.

If you are under the age of 18 and would like advice or support about drugs or alcohol, please contact Y-SMART on 01271-388162, or by email to y-smart@devon.gov.uk.