Catch up TV

Series 1: 2. Ketamine

Ketamine use has doubled amongst 16-24 year olds in the UK over the last ten years.\n\nIn Cornwall and Devon, where police seizures of ketamine went up 500% last year, this episode offers an unflinching look at young users whose ketamine use has moved away from parties and to their bedrooms, as they use the drug to self-medicate for various mental health issues. \n\nOn a Thursday night in Plymouth, we follow dealer ‘James’ as he sells ketamine to his regular clients. One client buys seven grams, the other one gram. He saves the rest of his supply for the next day, where we join him at a music festival. He has successfully smuggled 40 grams of ketamine in a fake beer can. ‘James’ tells us how his personal ketamine use has increased since he started selling, and he has now started using it to self-medicate for mental health issues. \n\nOn the other side of town, we meet Matt, a ketamine user who is in temporary accommodation and waiting to hear from his friends about a ketamine session later that night. Can he find the money to pick up? \n\nHeavy ketamine users have noticed horrendous side effects. Excessive ketamine consumption has been linked to issues with the bladder and incontinence. We meet 'Alan,' a ketamine user, who has installed a portable toilet in the back of his van that he needs to use every ten minutes. \n\nMeanwhile, back in Plymouth, Matt has managed to find the money to pick up from his dealer. We join him on a session and in a reflective scene in which he opens up about his mental health issues, and his self-medicating with ketamine. We ask ourselves what the future holds for him.

Source: BBC 3