Read our Privacy noticeDeaths involving illicit ketamine use have soared twenty-fold since 2014, a new study has revealed. The analysis of coroner’s reports found there were 696 deaths with detections of illicit ketamine in total between 1999 and 2024 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Clare Rogers, who lost her son Rian Rogers aged 26 to ketamine use, told The Independent: “It’s horrific if it gets hold of you. Dr Caroline Copeland, lead author of the study, said: “We are seeing more ketamine-related deaths, but these deaths rarely involve ketamine alone. Dr Caroline Copeland added: “Illicit ketamine use has moved beyond the recreational setting.