First reported 5 Nov 2024•Latest report 19 Aug 2025
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures of public-facing information, warnings, education or regulatory communication that leave current or potential ketamine users unaware of the serious acute and chronic harms of non-clinical ketamine use, including misleading safety impressions created by its Class B classification.
Not included
Excludes general drug education or substance-misuse concerns that do not specifically concern ketamine's serious harms.
Excludes clinical treatment, diagnosis or follow-up of ketamine-related injury after the risks have been adequately communicated.
Excludes lawful clinical use of ketamine unless the assertion concerns communication of risks from non-clinical or inappropriate use.
Excludes the legal classification or scheduling of other drugs unless the assertion specifically links it to public misunderstanding of ketamine's serious harms.
Reports
2
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
5
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2024–2025
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
8
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Home Office2
Department for Education1
Department of Health and Social Care1
Ministerial department2
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Dorset
Concerns raised3
Lack of understanding of the health consequences of chronic ketamine use outside professional circles
Lack of understanding of ketamine risks among the age group most at risk of starting use
Lack of public understanding of the dangers of acute and chronic ketamine use
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.8
Action
Launch a national mass- and social-media campaign on new drug-use patterns, sustained ketamine use, and associated bladder damage.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 2 September 2025.
Action
Maintain and update FRANK drug information and advice for young people, parents and practitioners, including emerging ketamine evidence and trends.
Stated by Department for EducationStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 2 September 2025.
Action
Launch a national media campaign highlighting the harms caused by ketamine through multiple media channels.
Stated by Home OfficeStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 2 September 2025.
Stated by Department for EducationStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 2 September 2025.
Action
Provide quality drug, alcohol and tobacco teaching resources for primary and secondary teachers through collaboration with OHID and the PSHE Association.
Stated by Department for EducationStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 2 September 2025.
Action
Write to festival organisers requesting coordinated harm-reduction and first-aid measures that highlight ketamine dangers.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 2 September 2025.
Action
Develop and issue joint advice with the National Police Chiefs’ Council to police and local authorities on festivals, drugs, and alcohol.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 2 September 2025.
Action
Consider all ACMD recommendations before making decisions on ketamine’s classification under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Stated by Home OfficeStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 2 September 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.5
Position
Local authorities, Combating Drugs Partnerships and treatment providers lead prevention, harm-reduction and treatment interventions, including awareness raising.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Departments for Education and Health and Social Care will address concerns about understanding ketamine’s dangers, including among young people.
Stated by Home OfficeRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
The Home Office is responsible for responding to concerns about ketamine’s classification under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Existing statutory RSHE guidance and school flexibility are relied on to let schools tailor teaching to local issues, including ketamine dangers.
Stated by Department for EducationExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
The Home Office is responsible for responding to concerns about ketamine’s classification under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Stated by Department for EducationRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Manchester South
Concerns raised2
Maintaining ketamine as a Class B drug despite its serious harms
Illicit ketamine use causing severe long-term and potentially fatal health problems
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Pin
Get email alerts
Request correction
Includes failures of public-facing information, warnings, education or regulatory communication that leave current or potential ketamine users unaware of the serious acute and chronic harms of non-clinical ketamine use, including misleading safety impressions created by its Class B classification.
