Sky News Daily Can anything stop the ketamine crisis?
Jul 29, 2025
15:17
Incontinence and chronic pain are just some of the life-altering effects caused by heavy ketamine use – which is at record levels.
The drug, used in clinical settings as an anaesthetic, sedative and pain reliever, can create hallucinations in users. But those who become addicted to ketamine also face severe bladder and kidney problems.
As the government considers reclassifying ketamine to a Class A substance, Shingi Mararike, our North of England correspondent, has been speaking to people suffering life-changing health consequences, and the people trying to help them.
He joins Niall Paterson on the Sky News Daily to share more about the use of the drug.
Plus, Dr Caroline Copeland, a senior lecturer in pharmacology and toxicology at King's College London and director of the National Programme on Substance Use Mortality, talks to Niall about why the discussion on ketamine needs to go beyond criminalisation.
Information on drug abuse is available by calling Talk to Frank on 0300 123 6600, or online at talktofrank.com.
Producers: Soila Apparicio, Araminta Parker
Editor: Mike Bovill
The drug, used in clinical settings as an anaesthetic, sedative and pain reliever, can create hallucinations in users. But those who become addicted to ketamine also face severe bladder and kidney problems.
As the government considers reclassifying ketamine to a Class A substance, Shingi Mararike, our North of England correspondent, has been speaking to people suffering life-changing health consequences, and the people trying to help them.
He joins Niall Paterson on the Sky News Daily to share more about the use of the drug.
Plus, Dr Caroline Copeland, a senior lecturer in pharmacology and toxicology at King's College London and director of the National Programme on Substance Use Mortality, talks to Niall about why the discussion on ketamine needs to go beyond criminalisation.
Information on drug abuse is available by calling Talk to Frank on 0300 123 6600, or online at talktofrank.com.
Producers: Soila Apparicio, Araminta Parker
Editor: Mike Bovill