Shocking effects of ketamine

It is shocking to note from your editions of April 1 and July 29 this year of two deaths by self-inflicted hanging of young men in our borough.

The first report related to 20-year-old Wesley Roper, of Kendray Road, found hanged from a tree in woodland off Hunningley Lane on July 26 last year. The pathologist reported ketamine and alcohol in his system. The coroner was sure that Mr Roper had taken his own life.

Your second report told us of the death by hanging of 18-year-old Adam Garry Sephton, of Priest Royd, at Mapplewell playing field in November last year. The inquest had been told that the teenager spent £850 on ketamine in the week prior to his death. His mother stated that he had been paying off debts for drugs.

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 categorises drugs into three classes. Ketamine is assigned to Class C, the lowest category. Its original and legal purpose was as an equine tranquilliser for use by veterinary surgeons.

Academic experts tell us that ketamine is an hallucinogenic anaesthetic drug used as a main stimulant by teenagers of 13-19 years.

The average price of a gram of ketamine is £22, much cheaper than cocaine at £35.National statistics should be urgently gathered as to all ketamine-related deaths, with a specific sub-sort for hangings. If the data support the case then ketamine should be upgraded to Class A.

Those who produce, supply or possess ketamine with intent to supply should be tried on indictment only, with the Crown Prosecution Service instructed to dispense with summary trial in the Magistrates’ Courts.

The penalty would be up to life imprisonment.Dealing death at £22 per gram must be made expensive for producers, suppliers and commercial possessors.