Anarchy in the UK: Ketamine Deaths Increase 10 Fold in 10 Years
In recent years, ketamine has become the drug of choice for many, from tech bros to ravers to those seeking mental health therapy. But its misuse without medical supervision has led to addiction and even death. And in the United Kingdom, a region with a history of drug misuse and inadequate harm reduction policies, the numbers are alarming.
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, ketamine-related deaths in the UK have increased tenfold from 2014 to 2024. This comes on the heels of record numbers of deaths from cocaine and opioid overdoses in 2023.
Ketamine in the UK: The Numbers Behind the Crisis
To gather data for the study, researchers used information from the National Programme on Substance Use Mortality, which collects voluntary reports from coroners on drug-related deaths. Between 1999 and 2024, there were 696 recorded deaths related to illicit ketamine use in the UK. And the trend is only getting worse, with a projected 197 deaths in 2024 compared to just 15 in 2014.
The report also highlights the dangers of polydrug use, or combining ketamine with other substances like cocaine, opioids, and alcohol. This significantly increases the risk of overdose. Additionally, the study reveals that the majority of those who have died from ketamine abuse in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are white men in their 30s and 40s, with an increase in fatal cases among unemployed individuals and those in economically disadvantaged areas.
So, what can be done to address this crisis? The report suggests implementing overdose prevention centers, expanding drug checking services, educating about the risks of polydrug use, and integrating ketamine use into treatment services. It also emphasizes the importance of addressing underlying issues like poverty, unemployment, and housing instability in comprehensive drug policies.
Ultimately, the researchers join the growing chorus of health professionals calling for harm reduction, education, and containment policies for vulnerable populations. Until governments take action, these harmful trends will only continue to rise.
The post Anarchy in the UK: Ketamine Deaths Increase 10 Fold in 10 Years first appeared on High Times.
