THE POLICE and Crime Commissioner for Dorset has criticised a recommendation to keep ketamine as a Class B drug.

David Sidwick has warned it could downplay the harm the drug is causing, especially among young people.

He said he was “deeply disappointed” by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs’ (ACMD) advice.

“This misguided decision utterly fails to reflect the clear and escalating harm ketamine is causing in our communities, particularly among young people, and it risks perpetuating the dangerous misconception that this is a low-risk substance,” he added.

Mr Sidwick said Dorset is seeing the effects of ketamine misuse firsthand.

He highlighted the strain it places on police, health services, families and communities.

“In Dorset, we are seeing firsthand the devastating consequences of ketamine misuse, as well as the growing burden it places on policing, health services, families and communities,” he said.

“We have seen warnings from Dorset’s coroner, a rise in the number of people seeking treatment and in the number of people being arrested for possession of this substance, all measures which are reflected nationally.”

He called on the government to overrule the ACMD’s recommendation, pointing to the reclassification of nitrous oxide in 2023.

“I would urge the government to act in the best interests of the public and overrule this recommendation, as previously happened with nitrous oxide in 2023,” he said.

“The ACMD’s recommendation on ketamine was not unanimous and therefore must be scrutinised further.”

Mr Sidwick said classification matters as it shapes public understanding, enforcement priorities and how harm is treated.

“By not making this vital change, we are missing a critical opportunity to send a strong, unambiguous message that ketamine misuse is a serious threat and must be treated as such,” he said.

“I will continue to do all I can in Dorset and on a national level to push for more – the public deserve it.”

“Classification matters – it influences public understanding, enforcement priorities, and the seriousness with which harm is treated and prevention is funded.

“By not making this vital change, we are missing a critical opportunity to send a strong, unambiguous message that ketamine misuse is a serious threat and must be treated as such.

“I will continue to do all I can in Dorset and on a national level to push for more – the public deserve it.”