Once known primarily as a tranquilizer for animals or a controlled medical anesthetic, ketamine has now entered the UK’s streets as a dangerous recreational substance. With usage statistics climbing fast—particularly among young adults—the government is now under pressure to reclassify it as a more tightly controlled drug.
In this special report, Sky News correspondent Shingi Mararike speaks to individuals who have experienced ketamine’s darkest effects, as well as frontline workers attempting to reverse the damage of a growing epidemic.
Main Points of the News:
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Ketamine use has soared in the UK, with 2024 stats showing a sharp rise, especially among teenagers and people in their early 20s.
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The UK Home Office is reviewing ketamine’s classification, which may soon move from Class C to Class B due to its addictive and harmful impact.
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Sky’s Shingi Mararike’s report brings first-hand stories of victims who now live with life-altering bladder damage, memory loss, and emotional trauma.
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Addiction centers and outreach programs are being overwhelmed as more young people seek help.