00:00Liverpool City Council says its action plan to reduce ketamine-related harm is already making progress months after it was
00:08launched.
00:09The plan brings together health services, schools, community organisations, police and youth services with the aim of raising awareness, improving
00:17access to support and reducing harm.
00:20Since March, nearly 4,000 professionals have attended ketamine awareness sessions delivered by River, Liverpool's free confidential all-age community
00:28drug and alcohol support service.
00:31Information and guidance has also been shared with Liverpool's secondary schools, colleges and universities, as well as parents and carers.
00:38The council says the material will be recirculated following the summer break and promoted throughout the 2026 to 2027 academic
00:46year.
00:46River's website has also received more than 115,000 visits between January and June.
00:53Awareness sessions have been delivered through school assemblies, PSHE lessons and university campus drop-ins.
00:59Around 200 adults and young people are currently receiving support where ketamine is a primary or significant substance of concern.
01:07A specialist clinic run by Alderhay Children's Hospital with support from River is helping young people experiencing ketamine-related health
01:14problems, including bladder damage.
01:16Liverpool's Director of Public Health Professor Matt Ashton says ketamine is sometimes wrongly perceived as low-risk, while serious physical
01:24and mental health harms can occur, including severe bladder damage.
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