UK: Ketamine 'could be re-examined'

The classification of ketamine - which has become increasingly popular with clubbers - could be upgraded "at some point", the Home Office has said.

Government adviser Professor David Nutt said the drug, designed as a horse anaesthetic, could be doing "permanent damage" to some users' bladders.

The Home Office said it intended to review whether ketamine should remain at class C. This puts it in the "least dangerous" category of illegal drug...

The drug was linked to the deaths of 23 people between 1993 and 2006. Most had accidents after taking it.

There have been concerns it is growing in popularity on the UK club scene and it was made illegal in January 2006, after a surge in the number of people using it.

Prof Nutt, an expert in addiction based at Bristol University, told the Commons home affairs committee: "We are seeing a consistent increase in use and we are seeing a very worrying effect in terms of bladder spasms and bladder pain.

"There is concern that it is causing permanent bladder damage."

He told the MPs he had heard that many young people were turning to ketamine as a recreational drug because the street strengths of ecstasy and cocaine had declined.