Liverpool’s Health and Wellbeing Board has met to respond to the city’s growing concern over ketamine use and harm, particularly among teenagers and young adults.
At a meeting on Tuesday 9 September, the Board received an update on the coordinated local response led by the Liverpool Combatting Drugs Partnership (CDP), chaired by Liverpool Director of Public Health, Professor Matthew Ashton.
The Liverpool CDP has undertaken significant local engagement and is developing a comprehensive Reducing Ketamine Harm Action Plan, focused on prevention, harm reduction, early identification and support, and disrupting supply. This work has strong political support with Liverpool City Council passing a motion earlier this year calling for the Government to take further action, led by Cllr Lynnie Hinnigan and Cabinet Member for Public Health, Cllr Harry Doyle.
Professor Harry Sumnall, a national expert in substance misuse research from LJMU, provided the board with an overview of the current position in the city outlining that Ketamine, a class B drug, has seen a sharp rise in use nationally and across Merseyside. Locally, young people aged 14–25 are the most affected, with treatment services reporting a notable increase in young people seeking support.
The Board heard about the innovative local support services that are now available in the city provided by the local River community drug and alcohol support service which has a newly established model with a dedicated team including specialist drug workers and medical input to ensure robust care plans for people who use Ketamine, this includes support, advice and guidance for parents/carers.
The Board also heard how strong partnerships are developing with peer-led recovery groups like Lifeboat, and also about the strong partnerships with Alder Hey Hospital and local NHS services which are helping to provide joined-up care for young people experiencing ketamine-related health issues.
Board members endorsed the action plan pillars and committed to supporting efforts to reduce ketamine harm and improve outcomes.
The plan will be monitored through a new ketamine ‘performance dashboard’, to ensure the city is proactive in protecting its communities.
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