Liverpool's Reducing Ketamine Harms Action Plan, launched in March, is already showing strong early progress, with nearly 4,000 professionals trained and 241 young people referred for support. The plan was developed in response to growing concerns about ketamine use among teenagers and young adults in the city.
Action plan brings together services
The action plan brings together health services, schools, community organisations, police and youth services to raise awareness, improve access to support and reduce harm. Since March, close to 4,000 professionals, including nurses, social workers and youth justice staff, have attended ketamine awareness sessions delivered by River, the local authority's community drug and alcohol support service partner.
Information and guidance has been shared with all Liverpool secondary schools, colleges, universities, parents and carers. This is due to be re-circulated following the summer break and will continue to be promoted throughout the 2026/27 academic year. Awareness sessions have been delivered in school assemblies, colleges and university campus drop-ins.
Support and treatment expanding
In total, 241 young people in the city have been referred for support related to ketamine use since the action plan was launched. Around 200 adults and young people are currently receiving support where ketamine is a primary or significant substance of concern.
A specialist clinic run by Alder Hey Children's Hospital with support from River is continuing to help young people experiencing health-related problems because of ketamine, including bladder damage. Community organisations such as Lifeboat Recovery Community Hub have strengthened peer support and recovery networks, helping people access advice and support from others with lived experience.
Police and partnership work
On the criminal side, Merseyside Police continues to target organised crime and drug supply networks aiming to deal with the arrival of ketamine in the city and region.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said: “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.
“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.”
Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, said: “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.
“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.”
Liverpool City Council and its partners will continue to work closely with local organisations, services and community groups to ensure residents can access the right information, advice and support when they need it. This will include raising awareness of the risks associated with drug and alcohol use, delivering education and training, and expanding outreach and peer support within communities.
Schools, youth services, health services and community organisations will continue to work together to help young people and adults access support at the earliest opportunity, with clear pathways into treatment and recovery services. Partners will continue to share information and local intelligence to identify emerging issues, target support where it is needed most, and measure the impact of interventions.
Regular partnership meetings led by Liverpool’s Combating Drugs Partnership will help coordinate activity, strengthen collaboration across services, and ensure a joined-up approach to reducing harm. Liverpool City Council and its partners will build on this work throughout the year, monitoring progress and taking action where needed to reduce ketamine-related harm and improve outcomes for residents across the city.
