Ketamine cystitis is an “emerging epidemic”, given the recent rise in the drug’s usage, a coroner has warned.
Richard Middleton, Dorset’s Assistant Coroner, has highlighted the dangerous increase of ketamine use, following an inquest into the death of a 25-year-old addict, Joshua Leatham-Prosser.
Illegal ketamine use has more than doubled since 2016, and more than tripled among 16 to 24-year-olds, which has led to a Home Office review to consider if it should be upgraded to a Class A drug.
‘Vicious cycle’
In his report, Middleton said that Mr Leatham-Prosser underestimated the danger of ketamine, and described the impact of the Class B drug on the young man’s bladder as “akin to acid attacks on the skin”, causing him “significant pain”.
The coroner raised concerns about the “highly addictive and harmful nature” of the drug.
He also explained that Mr Leatham-Prosser was quickly caught in a “vicious cycle”. While ketamine is usually taken for its sedative properties in order to feel relaxed, it damages the bladder and kidneys.
This damage, Middleton said, causes pain, driving users to take more of the drug, which only leads to further deterioration.
‘Fatal health problems’
The coroner warned of “the increasing number of young people presenting with potentially fatal health problems linked to its use”.
He said: “Patients seen by urologists are abusing the drug to the extent required to damage the urinary tract to the point of requiring major reconstructive surgery”.
He has submitted a report to the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper outlining his concerns.
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