Support Worker Warns of Children Needing Urostomy Bags Due to Ketamine Use in Merseyside

A drug and alcohol support worker in Merseyside has issued a warning that ketamine consumption in the region has “got so bad that young children are ending up with urostomy bags”. Kelly Smith, representing the Change, Grow, Live (CGL) recovery service based in Kirkby, characterized the drug’s use as “a massive problem and increasingly common”. She indicated that the service, which extends its reach across Knowsley, has identified young individuals using ketamine who are “not understanding what it is” and subsequently developing a dependency. During the inauguration of an art initiative aimed at individuals in recovery from addiction, she stated: “It’s got so bad that young children are ending up with urostomy bags and things like that because it does cause serious bladder issues.” Ms. Smith further commented: “I think for a young person, they’re not necessarily aware of the lifelong impact that drug use can have on a person.” Ketamine serves as a pharmaceutical agent employed by medical professionals and veterinarians for managing pain. According to the most recent government statistics, the drug’s usage across England and Wales is estimated to have more than doubled since 2016. The government also reported that within the demographic under 25 years old, its consumption has more than tripled over the identical timeframe. Persistent ketamine use is known to impact the bladder’s lining, potentially causing it to contract. Kelly Smith delivered her remarks at the launch of the We Got HeART (WGH) exhibition, situated in a facility on St Chad’s Parade within the town centre. The Local Democracy Reporting Service indicated that this art initiative, designed to guide individuals away from substance abuse towards support services, is spearheaded by Merseyside Police and CGL Knowsley. Among the artists showcasing their work is Amanda Murphy, who disclosed that she started using alcohol as a “crutch” following a challenging phase in her life. After being diagnosed with liver disease, she was directed to CGL and is currently undergoing recovery. She recounted: “I was nervous when I first went in but they soon surrounded me and and showed me the love, as it were,” Inspector Alan McKeon, affiliated with Merseyside Police’s Prevention Hub, commented that the project “truly shows the value of prevention and addressing the root causes of problems, not the symptoms of it”.