Two teens tripping on ketamine are seen swaying like zombies near cheerful Burnley fans fresh from celebrating their team’s promotion to the Premier League. The Lancashire town is not only reveling in football success but also grappling with a rising ketamine epidemic. Children as young as 12 are getting hooked on the drug, with concerns that young dealers are even introducing it into primary schools. The recreational use of ketamine has doubled in the UK in just a year, with addicts resorting to self-harm and suicide attempts in Burnley.
Teenage girls, high on the drug, have been victims of sexual assault, while addicts have resorted to self-harm and suicide in this former mill town where ketamine can be bought for a mere £10 a gram. The drug, also known as ‘Special K’ or ‘Kit Kat’, is believed to be manufactured legally in India and illegally in countries like China, Laos, and Vietnam. It is then smuggled into Britain through Belgium or Holland and distributed by county lines drug dealers.
According to the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System, the number of 18-year-olds seeking drug treatment in England due to ketamine use has significantly risen from 335 in 2020-2021 to 917 in 2023-24. Ketamine is particularly harmful to the bladder lining, with heavy users facing issues like incontinence or the need for bladder removal. Despite its popularity for its hallucinogenic effects, ketamine can be extremely dangerous, as highlighted by the tragic deaths of celebrities like Hollywood actor Matthew Perry and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner, The Vivienne.
Local vicar Alex Frost has been at the forefront of raising awareness about the dangers of ketamine in Burnley. He describes the situation as a pandemic, with children as young as 12 falling prey to addiction. The easy availability of the drug, coupled with high levels of deprivation in the area, has fueled its spread. Frost recounts a disturbing incident where a 13-year-old girl created a detailed business plan for selling ketamine, showcasing the extent of the problem in the town.
The impact of ketamine addiction is not limited to the individual but also affects their families and communities. One mother shares the harrowing experience of her daughter’s ten-month battle with ketamine addiction, leading to violent outbursts and self-harm. The cheap price of the drug makes it accessible to children who pool their pocket money to purchase it. The government is urged to reclassify ketamine as a Class A drug to combat its widespread use and prevent further tragedies in Burnley.
Ketamine, often referred to as the ‘heroin of a generation’, poses significant physical and mental health risks to users. Excessive use can result in bladder problems, memory loss, organ damage, and psychological issues. The drug’s addictive nature and devastating consequences are slowly coming to light, prompting calls for stricter regulations and increased awareness campaigns. Despite efforts by authorities like Lancashire Police’s Operation Shore, the battle against ketamine abuse continues in Burnley and neighboring areas.
