Ketamine Epidemic Sweeps Through UK Schools, Alarming Authorities

According to a recent investigation, police investigations into ketamine seizures in UK schools have risen dramatically over the past year. In the 2022/23 academic year, police were called to just 3 schools over ketamine finds, but this figure skyrocketed to 15 the following year.

The data, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, paints a concerning picture of the growing presence of this deadly drug in educational settings. Children as young as 13 have been caught by teachers in possession of ketamine, a powerful horse tranquillizer, while others were found selling it to their peers.

Worryingly, the issue appears to have spread far beyond urban areas, with four rural, smaller police forces reporting the same number of ketamine-related incidents as the Metropolitan Police. Experts believe the true scale of the problem is likely much higher, as many teachers choose not to involve the authorities to avoid criminalizing their students.

The rise in ketamine use among young people is a nationwide phenomenon, with the drug becoming increasingly accessible and affordable. Wendy Teasdill, whose 18-year-old daughter Ellie Rowe tragically died after taking ketamine at a festival in 2013, warns that the drug can now be easily obtained through social media platforms like Snapchat and Telegram for just a few pounds.

Authorities and educators are grappling with this alarming trend, which is contributing to disruptive and violent behavior in schools. The NASUWT teaching union has called for greater action from the government and other expert services to help deter young people from using or accessing illegal substances.

As the number of under-18s in drug treatment who name ketamine as a problem substance continues to rise, the need for comprehensive solutions to address this crisis has never been more urgent.