Ketamine should not be reclassified as Class A drug, say experts

Sky News reports that the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has advised the UK government not to make ketamine a Class A drug. In its 2026 report, the ACMD said that while illegal use hit record levels in the year to March 2023, the drawbacks of re‑classification – increased stigma, higher street prices, more adulterated supply, and a rise in drug‑related crime – outweigh the benefits. The council’s recommendation was not unanimous and calls instead for a “whole‑systems” public‑health approach, including expanded roadside testing, better data collection in health services and coordinated support for users, especially children and young adults. The Home Office, which sponsors the ACMD, will review the findings and respond at priority.