Deaths following illicit ketamine use in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 1999–2024: An update report to inform the reclassification debate
Jade Pullen, John Corkery, Rebecca Mcknight, Caroline S Copeland
Journal of Psychopharmacology September 29, 2025 DOI: 10.1177/02698811251373058 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractDeaths following illicit ketamine use have accelerated in recent years, increasingly involving complex polydrug use and socio-economic vulnerability. Policy responses should extend beyond single-substance legislative controls to include harm reduction, treatment integration, and social support strategies.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Ketamine |
| Keywords | Northern ireland Harm Legislature Medicine Psychiatry |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key finding | Deaths following illicit ketamine use have accelerated, with increasing complexity of polydrug use and socio-economic vulnerability, requiring policy responses beyond single-substance legislative controls. |
Abstract
There has been an acceleration in deaths following illicit ketamine in recent years, which are increasingly featuring complex patterns of polydrug use and socio-economic vulnerability. Policy responses must extend beyond single-substance legislative controls to encompass harm reduction, treatment integration, and social support strategies.