Young ketamine users face irreversible bladder issues and risk ‘wearing nappies’ for the rest of their lives, a judge has warned.
Judge Simon Medland expressed his concern over the impact of drug abuse on young people, noting that individuals in their 20s and 30s might face lifelong consequences, such as being reliant on diapers, due to the use of harmful substances. He gave Kaius Morrison, a 23-year-old drug dealer, a two-year suspended sentence for possessing ketamine and cocaine with the intent to distribute.
In a statement earlier this month, Minister of State for Crime, Dame Diana Johnson, emphasized the dangers associated with ketamine, stating that the increasing prevalence of its use is alarming.
Following the death of a man, a coroner urged Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to take action regarding the classification of ketamine. This request for intervention highlights the pressing need to address the risks posed by this drug.
James Boland, 38, from Manchester, died of sepsis caused by a kidney infection which was ‘a complication of long-term use of ketamine’.
Coroner Alison Mutch OBE warned people in Britain are under a ‘false impression’ that the drug – which killed Friends star Matthew Perry – is less dangerous than other substances like cocaine.
Ketamine, which is currently a Class B drug, could be upgraded to Class A – the same as heroin, crack and cocaine, as use surged to record levels.
Raising it to Class A would increase those penalties to life for dealing for those dealing the potentially deadly drug and seven years for possession.
James Boland, 38, from Manchester, died of sepsis caused by a kidney infection which was ‘a complication of long-term use of ketamine’
Tracy Marelli, 48, said ketamine ‘destroyed’ her daughter Sophie Russell, 20, who died following a ketamine addiction
Ms Russell used the drug daily, which had caused her agonising abdominal pains and incontinence
Ms Mutch said maintaining its classification encourages people to use it over class A drugs.
Mr Boland – founder and owner of Ancoats Coffee Co in Manchester – had switched from cocaine because he thought ketamine was ‘less harmful’.
He was a ‘chronic user’ of the drug and also suffered serious urological issues as a result of abusing it.
In November, a devastated mother begged ministers to classify ketamine as Class A, after the death of her 20-year-old daughter who suffered a two-year addiction to the substance.
Sophie Russell, from Lincolnshire, died in September after using the drug daily, which had caused her agonising abdominal pains and incontinence.
Her mother Tracy Marelli said the drug ‘destroyed her.’
In April, midwife Clare Rogers, 47, called for ketamine to be upgraded to Class A after her award-winning 26-year-old student son, Rian Rogers, was killed by the drug.
The popularity of ketamine has risen in recent years.
The party drug, known as ‘K’ or ‘Special K’, comes as a powder and is usually snorted.
In the year ending March 2023, an official study showed 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 admitted using the substance during the previous 12 months.
The number of 16- to 59-year-olds in England and Wales who reported ever having used ketamine rose from 837,000 in 2014-15 to 1.27 million in 2023-24, according to Office for National Statistics data.
The drug was upgraded from Class C to Class B just a decade ago, but now ministers believe even tougher measures may be needed to discourage its use.
In October 2023, Friends star Perry, 54, was found dead in his hot tub at his home in Los Angeles.
It emerged the Chandler Bing actor died from the acute effects of ketamine, having been using it to treat depression.
Dealing ketamine currently carries up to 14 years’ imprisonment, while possession carries up to five years.
Kaius, a part-time scaffolder, had four previous non-drug convictions and pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday for possessing ketamine.
He had brought a bag ready to go to prison.
Two bags of white powder were found in a coat on the back seat of his white VW after police followed his vehicle on January 17, 2023.
They saw a man from a nearby van enter the car and leave shortly after in a Sainsbury’s car park in Chapelford, Warrington.
Kaius left the car park at speed and as police followed him he ‘appeared to be trying to secrete something,’ prosecuting lawyer Andrew McInnes said.
Mr Boland was a ‘chronic user’ of the drug and also suffered serious urological issues as a result of abusing it
In April, midwife Clare Rogers, 47, called for ketamine to be upgraded to Class A after her award-winning 26-year-old student son, Rian Rogers (pictured), was killed by the drug
Friends star Matthew Perry was killed by ketamine and drowning, with his death ruled an accident
Two snap bags containing around £100 worth of cocaine were found in a small Louis Vuitton bag.
A pair of mobile phones were ringing continuously and messages relating to drug dealing were also discovered.
Police also found cocaine worth £3,800, 17.4g of ketamine worth £1,000, £340 cash and drug dealing paraphernalia.
Judge Medland said he was ‘straining the sentencing guidelines which many judges would not,’ as he sentenced the drug dealer to two years imprisonment suspended for two years, 15 days of rehabilitation activities and 180 hours unpaid work.
Jim Smith, defending lawyer, said the 23-year-old ‘is no longer using Class A drugs and has moved away from criminal classes.’
He added Kaius pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and has since been offered more work with a scaffolding firm.
Judge Medland added: ‘You now have the potential of full time work in a lucrative industry so on this occasion I’m going to take a chance on you.’
He also criticised the police’s failure to seize the dealer’s car.
‘I fail to understand why on earth the police don’t seize these things being used as a tool of the trade, namely a delivery van for drugs,’ he said.
