Ketamine and Ecstasy Use Increases by Over 200% in England Over Four Years

The Home Office's Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (Wand) programme reported increases in the use of ketamine and ecstasy in England. Wastewater samples indicated ketamine levels rose by 229% between 2021 and 2024. This included a 54% increase in the 12 months prior to 2024.

MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, showed a 232% increase over the same four-year period. Ecstasy use peaked on weekends, consistent with patterns for recreational party drugs. In contrast, ketamine use remained steady throughout the week.

Drug Use Trends Methamphetamine use increased by 61% from 2021 to 2024.

Cocaine consumption rose by an estimated 26% during this time. Heroin use decreased by 40%, and amphetamine use fell by 27%. Ketamine is used legally as an anaesthetic but is controlled under drug laws.

Recreationally, it produces a relaxed, dream-like state but can cause temporary paralysis. Mixing ketamine with other substances, including alcohol, can be fatal and has been associated with heart problems and hallucinations. In 2023, 53 deaths involved ketamine, up from previous years.

Ketamine was reclassified from Class C to Class B in 2014 due to increasing use. The government sought expert advice in 2023 on potential reclassification to Class A.

Expert Recommendations and Limitations The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs recommended keeping ketamine as Class B.

The council also called for more support for police and healthcare professionals to address ketamine-related harms. The Wand programme collected samples from 42 sewage treatment sites across England from August 2023 to July 2024. Cocaine had the highest estimated consumption among analysed drugs, at around 123 metric tonnes annually, with a market value in the billions.

Ketamine consumption was estimated at under 31 metric tonnes, with a market value of about £900 million. Regional data showed higher ketamine use in areas including Portsmouth, Brighton, Norfolk, Liverpool, and Bristol. The report noted limitations in wastewater testing, such as difficulties in estimating drug purity and variations based on consumption methods.

These factors can affect the accuracy of use estimates. The programme uses traces of drugs in bodily fluids to monitor trends in illegal drug consumption.