A STUDENT drama performance has highlighted the dangers of ketamine following a surge in its use in St Helens.
Over the past year, the Star has reported the worrying trend of ketamine use in young people, with public figures emphasising their concern and the dangers of the drug.
Police Constable Pete Allen suggested that the use of ketamine has led to a rise in anti-social behaviour in and around the town centre, while criminal gangs have used the drug to exploit young people in St Helens.
Young people are also reported to have presented themselves at GPs and A&E with abdominal complaints, with ketamine sometimes causing serious bladder, kidney and liver problems.
READ > Teenager 'shocked and upset' after 'sexual assault' on bus to St Helens
After recognising an increase in young people using ketamine, Merseyside Police partnered with St Helens Council, St Helens RLFC and the NHS to create a borough-wide campaign that warns young people of its dangers.
The campaign was launched in local schools to give young people the task to create a performance that educated their peers on ketamine and its issues and consequences, with the winning school receiving a £500 cash prize.
'No to Ketamine'
Jumping at the opportunity, students in Rainford High’s performing arts department created the production 'No to Ketamine’; written by sixth form student Lindsey Byrne, and performed by seven Year 10 students.
Year 10 student, George Haggerty said: “I think it is really great that our school is taking part in this performance, students will learn a lot about the risks and dangers surrounding ketamine, and the performance will hopefully help some people.”
Lindsey Byrne added: “As my long-term goal is to be a writer, I was really pleased to have the opportunity to create and direct this important piece with such enthusiastic students who portrayed the message clearly.”
Although the winners are yet to be decided, the production was well received by police officers and school leaders who emphasised the importance of its message for young people in St Helens.
Police warning
Aware of the rise in ketmaine use in young people, Merseyside Police officers have been working to tackle the problem and educate young people about its dangers and consequences.
Officers also spoke about how criminal gangs use drugs like ketamine to exploit young people in St Helens.
READ > Police officer speaks on impact of ketamine and how criminal gangs exploit youth in town
In a video statement, Constable Pete Allen said: "I’m here to tell you that it is a criminal offence to possess ketamine and it can take a sentence of five years for possession, and 14 years for possession with intent to supply.
"They are the maximum sentences you could be looking at, between five and 14 years.”
"What we’re finding in St Helens is that criminal gangs are exploiting the young youths and they are coming down from the larger cities like Manchester and Liverpool.
“These are called county lines and at present we’ve suggested that there is over 1,000 county lines in and around the country that is run from St Helens grooming gangs where young children are at the end of the mobile phone, which is the line, and they are being exploited to sell the likes of ketamine within cuckoo houses.”
He added: “I’d like to end this short talk by telling people that it’s never ever too late to stop taking or selling ketamine."
Health concerns
READ > Is your child using ketamine? The warning signs to look out for
In a previous statement, Cllr Anthony Burns, St Helens Borough Council’s cabinet member for wellbeing, culture and heritage, said: “Health and community safety partners are growing increasingly concerned by recent signs that ketamine use is rising, especially among younger people.
“Ketamine is addictive and is associated with a variety of serious health risks that not everyone who uses the drug may be aware of. For some young people this may become a life-long or irreversible condition, meaning they will have serious health problems for the rest of their lives. It’s just not worth the risk.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here