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Liverpool City Council, together with its partners, has announced promising early outcomes following the introduction of the Reducing Ketamine Harms Action Plan in March 2026. This initiative was created in response to rising concerns about ketamine use within the city and seeks to unite various stakeholders including health providers, educational institutions, community groups, law enforcement, and youth services. The collective goal is to increase awareness, expand access to support, and minimize the negative impacts associated with ketamine.
Since the plan’s rollout, significant strides have been made across multiple areas. Nearly 4,000 professionals such as nurses, social workers, and youth justice workers have participated in ketamine-focused awareness training facilitated by River, the local free and confidential drug and alcohol support service. Educational outreach efforts have included sharing information and guidance with all Liverpool secondary schools, colleges, and universities, as well as parents and carers, with plans to continue promotion throughout the academic year. River has also enhanced its online ketamine information, attracting over 115,000 visitors to its website in the first half of 2026. Additionally, schools and higher education settings have hosted awareness sessions via assemblies, personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) lessons, and campus drop-in events.
Support services have similarly expanded, with 241 young people referred for ketamine-related interventions since the plan began and approximately 200 individuals currently receiving assistance where ketamine is a key concern. A specialist clinic operated by Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, in partnership with River, provides targeted medical support for young individuals suffering from ketamine-related health conditions, including bladder damage. Community organizations like the Lifeboat Recovery Community Hub have bolstered peer support and recovery networks, enabling people with lived experience to offer guidance and encouragement. Meanwhile, Merseyside Police continue efforts to disrupt organized crime and drug supply chains, complementing the support pathways available to vulnerable young people.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, emphasized the coordinated approach: “Ketamine use is causing real harm to individuals, families and communities, particularly among young people. That’s why we launched this action plan, bringing together partners from across the city to take a coordinated approach to prevention, education, treatment and support.” He added, “While there is still much more to do, it’s encouraging to see the progress already being made, from reaching thousands of professionals with training to improving support pathways for young people and families. We remain committed to reducing the harms associated with ketamine and ensuring that anyone affected knows where to get help.” Similarly, Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, noted the severity of the issue: “Ketamine is often wrongly perceived as a low-risk drug, but we are seeing increasing evidence of the serious physical and mental health harms it can cause, including severe bladder damage in some young people.” He praised the collaborative impact, stating, “The early achievements of the action plan show what can be achieved when health services, schools, community organisations and law enforcement work together. By improving awareness, strengthening treatment pathways and listening to people with lived experience, we are helping more people access support earlier and preventing harm wherever possible.”
The council and its partners will continue to prioritize close collaboration with local services, organizations, and community groups. Their ongoing efforts aim to ensure residents have timely access to accurate information, advice, and assistance related to drug and alcohol use. This includes sustained education and training campaigns, expansion of outreach initiatives, and enhancement of peer support networks. Schools, youth services, health providers, and community organizations will maintain their joint commitment to facilitating early access to treatment and recovery resources. Additionally, partnership meetings led by Liverpool’s Combating Drugs Partnership will play a key role in sharing intelligence, identifying emerging trends, directing support to areas of greatest need, and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions. Throughout 2026 and beyond, Liverpool City Council and partners will monitor progress closely, adapting strategies as necessary to reduce the harms linked to ketamine and improve outcomes citywide
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