Coroner Urges Reclassification of Ketamine After Death

A Manchester coroner, Alison Mutch OBE, has urged the UK government to reclassify ketamine as a Class A drug following the death of coffee shop founder Mr. Boland due to long-term use. Mr. Boland, who died of sepsis caused by an acute kidney infection, had switched from cocaine, a Class A drug, to ketamine under the impression that it was less harmful. Mutch expressed concern over a false belief that ketamine is safer because of its Class B status. The inquest revealed an alarming rise in the illicit use of ketamine and related health issues, highlighting long-term complications like urological and liver damage. In her report to the government, Mutch warned that continuing its current classification could lead to more preventable deaths.