Lancashire Police Commissioner urges reclassification of ketamine as Class A drug
Operation Shore targets ketamine supply and misuse in Lancashire11
Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, has called on the Government to consider reclassifying ketamine as a Class A drug to better protect young people and ensure offenders face more severe consequences.
Grunshaw's appeal follows the launch of Operation Shore, a county-wide initiative focusing on the supply and misuse of ketamine.
This operation builds on a successful campaign in eastern Lancashire and employs a comprehensive strategy incorporating prevention, engagement, and enforcement.
The commissioner has articulated his viewpoint in a letter to the Policing Minister, highlighting health and safeguarding risks associated with ketamine use, as well as the current operations tackling these issues.
Despite the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) earlier recommending ketamine remain classified as a Class B substance, Grunshaw, along with policing bodies, maintains that reclassification is vital for more effective action against organised crime groups supplying the drug.
Grunshaw, said:
"Ketamine destroys lives and damages futures and the heart of Operation Shore, our county-wide response to this epidemic, is prevention and support for those who may be using ketamine to seek help and prevent others following the same path."
He emphasised reclassifying ketamine would convey the seriousness of its misuse and extend the sentences for organised crime groups involved in its distribution.
Grunshaw reiterated his commitment to collaboration across the policing, health, local authorities, and community sectors to address ketamine-related issues and enhance public safety in Lancashire.