Coroner’s ketamine warning after Manchester man’s death

A coroner has written to the Home Secretary calling for urgent action over the classification of ketamine after a man’s death.

Senior coroner Alison Mutch found James Boland, 38, from Manchester, died of sepsis caused by a kidney infection which was “a complication of long-term use of ketamine”.

Mr Boland, who was the founder and owner of Ancoats Coffee Co in Manchester, died on 19 June.

In a prevention of future deaths (PFD) report, the Greater Manchester South coroner said maintaining ketamine as a Class B drug rather than Class A was “likely to encourage others to start to use it or continue to use it under the false impression it is ‘safer’.”

Ketamine is used by the NHS as an anaesthetic, sedative and pain reliever, and is also commonly used on animals.

Because of its hallucinogenic effects, it is also thought of as a “party drug”.

In concluding Mr Boland’s inquest last month, Ms Mutch found Mr Boland died from sepsis caused by complications of acute pyelonephritis “probably contributed to by the complications of chronic ketamine use”.

The coroner said in her PFD report that Mr Boland had previously used cocaine, a Class A drug, but had switched to ketamine on the basis he perceived it to be less harmful.

She said his perception that it was less harmful was based on the fact it was designated as a Class B rather than a Class A drug.

She continued: “The evidence at the inquest was ketamine use causes huge long-term life-changing health problems.

“In Mr Boland’s case, it had caused long-term urological damage and liver damage.”

In a tribute to Mr Boland, Ancoats Coffee Co described him as a “pioneer in bringing specialty coffee and coffee culture to Manchester”.

A fundraising campaign has been set up in his memory for the Street League charity, which uses sport and education to help young people find work.

Latest government figures estimate that external ketamine use in England and Wales has more than doubled since 2016, and has more than tripled in the under-25 age group in the same period.

The Home Office must respond to the coroner by 31 December, setting out details of action taken or proposed within a timetable, or explain why no action has been taken.

A spokesman for the Home Office said: “Our thoughts are with James Boland’s loved ones after his tragic death.

“We have received the coroner’s prevention of future deaths report, and ministers will consider it carefully before responding.”