Young people across Merseyside warned of ketamine dangers
It's after three men were taken to hospital after taking the drug
After three men were taken to hospital after reportedly taking 'a dangerous batch of ketamine', young people across Merseyside are being warned about the dangers of taking the drug.
The men, in their 20s, were taken to hospital earlier this week after suffering seizures.
Drug and alcohol treatment services across the country are reporting an increase in ketamine use, particularly among younger people.
It's normally used as an anaesthetic in veterinary medicine, but is also used recreationally.
Abi Wilson, lead clinical pharmacist for We Are With You, said:
"The problem is that it can cause irreversible damage very quickly and people may not see that happening, particularly in the first couple of uses but the problems develop quickly after that.
"It can cause irreversible damage to your internal organs - particularly the liver, the kidneys and the bladder. It can cause incontinence and over time, that will become potentially irreversible - which is something that people don't realise and it can be a very big problem.
"Obviously damage to the liver and the kidneys can be life-threatening and if it's mixed with other substances - like alcohol for example or other drugs - problems can become life-threatening or even fatal."
Over the last three to four years, We Are With You has seen a 28% increase in younger people telling youth services that they use ketamine.
National drug figures show around 3.8% of 19 to 24 year olds have reported using ketamine in the last year - more than use ecstasy but less than use nitrous oxide and powdered cocaine.
For people who will still use ketamine, the advice is to:
- Not use ketamine alone or if they're not in a position where someone can help
- Not mix ketamine with other drugs or alcohol
- Start with a small amount
- Planning and measuring the doses
- Set a timer to space out doses as ketamine can affect the way people perceive space and time
Ms Wilson added:
"What we're concerned about is despite the growing popularity of ketamine, the risks associated with it are not very well understood in the population of people who are taking it, particularly younger people.
"So what we would ask is that parents, siblings, teachers, tutors, anyone who has dealings with younger people try to make sure that they can signpost young people to resources that can help them be aware of the dangers.
"Calling 999 is going to do the most good if somebody becomes unwell because the emergency services will know what to do and if the ambulance turns up, then the best thing to do is make sure that they're aware, as much as possible, of what that person has taken, how long ago, just give as much information as possible.
"A lot of people get worried about the police. The emergency services' primary concern is the person in front of them and the best thing that anybody can do is call the ambulance and make sure they give all the information possible to that team.
"It's important to raise the subject"
"It's always important to talk to a young person about drugs when they are feeling most comfortable. Try not to do it in a moment of heat, let's say, keep the conversation short, be ready for a negative reaction and willing to back off, but it's important to raise the subject, have open conversations about it and be supportive of that young person's view, but also with a little bit of information behind it."
After the incident in Liverpool at a premises on Fleet Street, police say enquiries are ongoing in the area.
Support services:
- Young People's Drug & Alcohol Team (YPDAAT) - 01744 675605 (for under-19s)
- Change, Grow, Live (CGL) - 01744 410752 or www.changegrowlive.org
- We Are With You (Liverpool) - 0151 706 7888 or www.wearewithyou.org.uk