'Ketamine addiction made my son a zombie'

A woman who said her son became "a zombie" through his addiction to ketamine is trying to raise awareness of the drug's dangers.

Faye's son was in his mid-20s and had a good job in IT before his addiction led his life spiralling out of control.

She said he was "an amazing young lad" who "did really well at school and had a really good job".

But the effects of his ketamine use were "really rapid", and he soon "couldn't handle anything".

Government figures showed the drug's usage among 16-24 year olds in England had tripled since 2016.

"[My son] had a really good job fixing computers as an IT technician, he was being flown to different countries, he was doing amazing," Faye said.

"I didn't find out about the ketamine first because he used to do it recreationally.

"Then it started to affect him and his day-to-day life.

"It was really rapid. He would turn up for work and basically isolate himself completely."

She said she had to take over her son's finances as he struggled to keep his flat.

"He became completely dependent on me for everything," she said.

"He couldn't handle anything, he just was a zombie. It was like The Walking Dead."

Ketamine can cause serious health problems including irreversible damage to the bladder and kidneys.

While commonly used on animals and in healthcare settings, ketamine is also thought of as a party drug due to its hallucinogenic effects.

When Faye's son started to suffer stomach cramps and other health problems she feared he would die.

She said her son was given no real help or guidance in her home town of Ellesmere Port in Cheshire but instead just told he should "get off it".

"It's appalling and insufficient," she said.

"I was at total loss of how to help him. I didn't know about this drug I just knew it knocked horses out.

"Where do I turn? What do I do? How do I save my son?"

"Where is the help here? Why is nobody talking about this drug?"

Faye has since been able to secure a rehabilitation programme for her son and has launched an online petition to fight for better funding and more support for young people addicted to the drug.

Her campaign is supported by Ellesmere Port Councillor Lisa Denson who raised the issue at a Cheshire West and Chester Council meeting this week.

The council voted unanimously in support of an action plan to respond to ketamine use in the borough and the creation of targeted education campaigns about the dangers of the drug.

"We are already working with partners from the NHS and Via, our drug and alcohol treatment service, to train staff and organisations that work with young people, as well as young people themselves," Ms Denson said.

"The long-term physical and mental health effects of ketamine use, including bladder damage, cognitive impairment and addiction, are extremely serious and we are committed to further developing education campaigns, treatment and support for young people taking this drug."

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