'The dreadful rise of ketamine is a new scourge of our area'

CALL FOR COUNCIL TO DO MORE TO PROTECT CHILDREN

- By RICHARD EVANS Local Democracy Reporter

TOO many children are being exploited to trade ketamine and other drugs.

An Abergele councillor expressed fears about teenagers’ use of ketamine before a Conwy County Council health committee dismissed his pleas that the council needed to be more proactive.

At a meeting held in the council's Coed Pella headquarters, the health overview social care and scrutiny committee discussed the authority's annual safeguarding report.

The corporate safeguarding board’s 2024/25 report outlined progress over the past year, highlighting key activities, achievements, and priorities in numerous areas.

But the report revealed there had been a “noticeable rise” in concerns regarding ketamine use amongst teenagers.

The report stated: “During this reporting period, there has been a noticeable rise in concerns regarding ketamine use among young people in Conwy.

"This reflects a broader national trend, with increased reports of ketamine misuse across various UK regions. Its affordability, accessibility, and perceived low risk have contributed to its growing popularity among adolescents, despite the significant physical, psychological, and social harms associated with its use.”

The report went on to explain that the council had raised awareness professionally with a series of talks given at safeguarding conferences by an ex-ketamine user.

But whilst Abergele councillor Paul Luckock acknowledged the authority’s safeguarding interventions protected children once a problem was identified, he said more could be done to prevent exploitation of young people by adult drug dealers who were recruiting teenagers.