Use of ketamine across borough 'is rapidly escalating'

CRIME and school exclusions have surged in Halton due to a rapid rise in ketamine use.

- BY MARK SMITH

Ketamine is currently a Class B drug

A report to the council's health and well-being board has lifted the lid on use of the drug across the borough which it said was 'rapidly escalating, mirroring a wider national problem.

Ketamine is a powerful anaesthetic used in both human and animal medicine and can have hallucinogenic effects.

But health problems can include bladder damage including ulcerative cystitis, and gastric and cognitive problems along with negative psychological effects.

Shining a light on the local picture, the report found:

• A sharp increase in young people presenting with ketamine-related problems.

• Rising exclusions linked to ketamine use and widening safeguarding concerns.