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Ketamine seizures at UK borders hit 15-year high

Border Force officers seized almost 1,300 kg of ketamine at the UK border in the first quarter of this year, up more than 40 per cent on the same period last year and the highest quarterly total in 15 years.

Officers at Harwich International Port alone have seized 300kg of the drug over the last 12 months, the Home Office states, much of it arriving from the Hook of Holland. The Border Force also intercepted more than 9,000kg of cocaine in the first quarter of this year, along with almost 60,000 doses of nitrous oxide – nearly double the amount seized in the previous quarter. Analysis of wastewater samples by the Home Office earlier this year estimated England’ s ketamine consumption in the year to July 2025 at more than 30,000kg, with a market value of nearly £ 1bn.
The UK has also signed a new agreement with its Five Eyes partners – the US, Canada,
Australia, and New Zealand – to strengthen the international response to the threat posed by powerful synthetic opioids, the Home Office has announced. This will include enhanced intelligence sharing and tightening controls on precursor chemicals to prevent their diversion into illicit supply chains.
‘ The record amount of ketamine seized at our border reflects the dedication, professionalism and vigilance of Border Force officers, who work around the clock to keep dangerous drugs off our streets,’ said Home Office minister Jo White.‘ Every seizure prevents harm, disrupts organised crime and helps protect families and communities across the country. As
Ketamine seized at Harwich International Port by Border Force( Image: Home Office / PA Wire)
criminal networks adapt and new threats emerge, our response will remain relentless. We will continue strengthening our borders, targeting organised crime and preventing harmful drugs from reaching our communities.’

Women more likely to sustain recovery in female-only facilities

Local News

WALKING TALL This year’ s UK Recovery Walk will take place in Bradford on Saturday 12 September. The day will also include art exhibitions, performances, workshops, mutual aid meetings and more. Details at www. facesandvoicesofrecoveryuk. org
BOROUGH BEST Via’ s Kingston Wellbeing Service has achieved hep C microelimination, the charity has announced, with 100 per cent of service users offered a test and 90 per cent of those diagnosed already starting treatment –‘ a fantastic milestone’, said clinical lead Kamalpreet Kaur.
WOMEN WITH DRUG AND ALCOHOL ISSUES‘ FEEL SAFER AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO SUSTAIN THEIR RECOVERIES’ when treated in a female-only facility, according to a new study commissioned by the Scottish Recovery Consortium. The report, which focuses on Abbeycare’ s women-only Jericho House facility in Greenock, Scotland, found that being in a female-only space not only reduced stigma but allowed women to be‘ more open, vulnerable, and honest’ and supported a‘ deeper engagement’ in recovery.
Women’ s treatment needs are often very different from men’ s, the document
highlights, with their substance use often driven by issues such as trauma, domestic abuse or sexual violence.
‘ This small, qualitative study is part of a broader programme of work we have carried out over the last year,’ said Scottish Recovery Consortium chief executive officer Tracey McFall.‘ Together, our findings clearly demonstrate the need to recognise the interconnected challenges many women experience, and the impact these can have on their lives. We hope this work serves as a catalyst for meaningful change, ensuring that women’ s needs, experiences and voices are central to the
‘ Our findings clearly demonstrate the need to recognise the interconnected challenges many women experience.’
TRACEY MCFALL
development of policy, service design, and practice.’
Women in recovery available at scottishrecoveryconsortium. org
SHINE A LIGHT The first Scottish Recovery Awards event will take place in Glasgow on 9 October. Organised by Abbeycare, it will‘ shine a spotlight on staff and organisations whose dedication, courage, and leadership are helping to reduce the harms caused by drugs and alcohol’. Full details at www. scottishrecoveryawards. co. uk
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