Lincoln experiencing "epidemic" levels of ketamine say Crimestoppers

Ketamine, traditionally a drug used for general anaesthetic and pain relief by both doctors and vets, has become a drug of choice for many young people in Lincoln.

Crimestoppers have launched a new campaign warning of both the serious short and long term health implications that taking ketamine causes.

This follows the death of Sophie Russell, 20, from Lincoln who died after becoming addicted to the drug in September 2024.

"It is a class B drug, so people don't think it's dangerous. They don't see the effects that for some people can happen after just a few months," said Lydia Patsalides, East Midlands Regional Manager for Crimestoppers.

"And it is cheap. So people are using it as an alternative solution rather than drinking alcohol on the night out, thinking it will make their evening so much better.

"The long term effects of ketamine are, not just sadly things such as people passing away and dying.

"But there are people reportedly suffering consequences such as ulcerative cystitis of the bladder, which is the erosion of the bladder lining so your bladder becomes smaller and smaller.

"Not only does that come with such intense pain, but the ability to hold your bladder goes, so you need to go to the toilet every 10 minutes."

The first phase of Crimestoppers campaign sees social media posts shared across Lincoln, highlighting the damage ketamine causes.

The second phase of the campaign will launch in September coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the death of Sophie Russell.

Tracy Marelli, Sophie’s mum, is supporting the campaign and calling for action to increase the class of the drug from B to A.

"It is being discussed in government to actually change the classification from a B to an A," said Lydia.

"Which not only would see perhaps more people take it more seriously, but it will also see more serious consequences for those that are actually in possession of ketamine and those that are dealing it."

"Crimestoppers is the only way in which you can report crime at 100% anonymously, and by that we do not track or trace telephone calls and we cannot trace IP addresses on devices that submit information.

"So what we're doing is asking anybody that's got any information on those that are dealing ketamine to report it to Crimestoppers if they do not want to go to the police."

Report to Crimestoppers via phone on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org