Should Ketamine be reclassified on the Isle of Man?

Concerns raised amid ongoing conversation in the UK

There are concerns reclassifying Ketamine could have wider impacts on the Manx community.

Currently there are discussions in the UK about whether or not it should be upgraded from a Class B drug to a Class A, which would automatically be applied to the Isle of Man as well.

But would that be the right course of action?

Manx Radio has been speaking to Jason McKee and Thea Ozenturk from the charity Motiv8, which supports people in recovery from addiction or dependency:

The Isle of Man automatically applies any changes to drug classifications so, if the UK were to implement that change, it would also happen here too.

And the issue of drugs is one that the Department of Home Affairs says it's aware of.

Last week the Daily Mail described the Isle of Man as 'a hotbed for organised crime', raising concerns that the prison is being overrun by Liverpool drug traffickers and money launderers.

That's something Manx Radio asked the Home Affairs Minister, Jane Poole-Wilson, and Chief Officer, Dan Davies, about:

Last month, a deemster said Ketamine was 'becoming a problem' here, after sentencing someone found with thousands of pounds of the drug.

However, both the prosecution and defence advocates pointed out that a reclassification of the drug could see a need for more capacity at Isle of Man Prison if the rise in offences continued.

A temporary wing has been built there which has increased its capacity by 24 to 167, although the number of inmates is still a concern.

The Isle of Man Prison isn't alone in facing capacity issues though, it's something that's been a regular talking point in the UK too.

The Department of Home Affairs is considering a number of options - including alternative sentences to prison time and expanding the prison itself.