ACMD Recommends Maintaining Ketamine’s Class B Status Amid Rising Concerns
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has advised that ketamine should continue to be classified as a Class B controlled substance. The council emphasises the need for enhanced support for police and healthcare professionals to effectively recognise and manage issues related to ketamine misuse.
Government Review of Ketamine Use
In January 2025, the government tasked the ACMD with reviewing the misuse and harm associated with ketamine. The council’s findings were based on a comprehensive evaluation of the latest research, input from individuals with firsthand experience of the drug, consultations with relevant stakeholders, and analysis of academic studies.
Findings and Harms
The ACMD determined that the acute risks associated with ketamine, including its toxicity and potential for fatal outcomes, justify its existing Class B classification. Furthermore, the council raised alarms about the rising trend of high-dose ketamine use, some referring to it as “chronic,” along with its related long-term health risks.
While acknowledging these established dangers, which were highlighted in a prior assessment from 2013, the ACMD aimed to focus on identifying new and emerging concerns related to ketamine use.
Complex Interactions with Other Drugs
The ACMD report noted that many acute adverse effects reported by ketamine users are often exacerbated by the concurrent use of other substances. The council argued that changing ketamine’s classification alone is unlikely to diminish its prevalence or misuse within the community.
Input from individuals who have used ketamine revealed a consensus that reclassifying the drug to Class A would not effectively curtail its use. Similarly, health and social care professionals largely opposed the notion of reclassification.
Call for a Public Health Approach
The ACMD advocates for a comprehensive public health strategy aimed at reducing the harms associated with ketamine. Such an approach would necessitate coordinated efforts among public bodies, health services, and community organisations.
Professor David Wood, Chair of the ACMD, remarked that the report underscores the importance of a ‘whole system approach’, as no singular recommendation is sufficient to combat the issues linked to ketamine use.
Recommendations for Improvement
The ACMD’s full set of recommendations can be found in their report. These recommendations encompass various domains including classification, enhancement of treatment methodologies for ketamine-related issues, international regulation, data collection, education and training initiatives, harm reduction strategies, and research acceleration.
Source: official statements, news agencies, and public reports.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/acmd-announces-decision-on-the-classification-of-ketamine
