A new government campaign has been launched to warn young people about the serious risks associated with taking ketamine, counterfeit medicines, and adulterated THC vapes. Targeting 16-24-year-olds and social media users, the campaign highlights the life-threatening consequences of recreational drug use, including irreparable bladder damage, poisoning, and death. The initiative responds to a significant rise in harm, with ketamine treatment cases increasing eight-fold since 2015.
Supported by a £310 million investment in drug treatment services, the campaign forms part of the government’s broader Plan for Change strategy, which aims to reduce serious drug-related harm and protect communities from emerging threats. Health Minister Ashley Dalton emphasized that prevention is central to the approach, noting that many young people underestimate the severe health effects of substances like ketamine, synthetic opioids, and contaminated THC vapes.
The campaign provides detailed guidance on specific risks, such as ketamine’s potentially permanent bladder damage, counterfeit medicines containing lethal synthetic opioids, and synthetic cannabinoids often found in illicit THC vapes. Resources are being made available to schools, universities, and local public health teams, with online content hosted on FRANK, the national drug information platform.
There is growing concern about novel synthetic opioids, including nitazenes, appearing in counterfeit medicines purchased online, with younger, less-experienced users particularly at risk. Reports of harms from THC vapes have also increased, as products frequently contain highly potent synthetic cannabinoids with unpredictable effects. The campaign stresses that while ketamine has legitimate medical uses, illicit consumption remains dangerous, with urologists seeing more young patients suffering severe bladder problems from recreational use.
Alongside awareness efforts, the Department of Health and Social Care is providing £310 million in targeted grants this year to enhance drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services in England, including specialized support for children and young people. The campaign encourages those using substances to understand the risks and know how to access help, with information and support available through FRANK’s website and helpline.
