Zoom Testing – UK Drug Testing Weekly – 13 March 2026

Ketamine Crisis Reaches Parliament

It has been a significant week for ketamine in the news – and not in a good way. A new Early Day Motion (EDM 2943) tabled on 11 March 2026 calls on Parliament to recognise the “increased problematic use of ketamine, particularly among young people.” The motion sets out the severe consequences: cognitive impairment, psychological difficulties, and physical damage to the bladder, kidneys and urinary tract – in some cases requiring surgery or permanent use of incontinence pads. It also pays tribute to peer-support groups working without stigma to help those affected.

That motion arrives alongside fresh local data that makes for stark reading. A Suffolk County Council report has found that adults in treatment for ketamine addiction in the county have risen by 251 per cent since 2022 – with 183 adults now in treatment. Suffolk is not unique. These figures mirror what drug support workers across the country are reporting: ketamine, once seen as a fringe club drug, has become a mainstream problem. If you want to understand how long ketamine stays in the system, or need a reliable way to screen for it, this week’s news underlines why that knowledge matters more than ever.

Pink Cocaine Warning Ahead of St Patrick’s Day

Ireland’s Health Service Executive issued a warning this week about a substance marketed as “pink cocaine” ahead of St Patrick’s Day celebrations. Despite its name, pink cocaine – sometimes called tusi – typically contains no cocaine at all. Analysis has repeatedly shown it is a cocktail of substances including MDMA, ketamine, amphetamines and various adulterants. The HSE warns of the dangers of this highly potent substance, particularly given that users often have no idea what is actually in it.

This is precisely why drug checking matters – and why multi-panel testing that includes both MDMA (ecstasy) and ketamine gives employers and families a far more complete picture than single-substance tests. You can read more about ecstasy and how to keep yourself safe on our site. The lesson from pink cocaine is this: people are often not taking what they think they are, which makes comprehensive screening all the more valuable.

London Gets Its First Drug Checking Service

In harm reduction news, The Loop has launched London’s first drug checking service, operating in Hackney and Camden. The charity combines rapid chemical analysis of substances with personalised health advice and collects data on local drug market trends to share with communities and stakeholders. The Loop has been running drug checking at festivals for several years and this permanent urban service marks a significant expansion.

Drug checking services and workplace drug testing serve different purposes, but both point to the same underlying reality: knowing what is in someone’s system, or what a substance actually contains, prevents harm. For employers, the practical takeaway from the rise of services like The Loop is that street drugs are increasingly unpredictable – making broad-panel tests far more reliable than narrow ones.

Underage Vape Sales Rising Despite Legal Ban

An ITV News investigation this week found a rise in children and teenagers being sold vapes illegally in shops. Trading Standards told ITV that the fines imposed on retailers are simply not high enough – some businesses are factoring them into their costs as an acceptable overhead. The video report is worth watching if you work with young people or manage a retail environment. It adds further context to the ongoing passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill through the Lords, which reached its third reading this week.

The broader picture of young people and substance use was reinforced by data from the Millennium Cohort Study, published earlier in the week, which tracked substance use among over 19,000 people born around the millennium – now aged 23. The UCL briefing (PDF) offers a detailed snapshot of the habits this generation has developed into early adulthood – an important read for anyone involved in youth work, education or family support.

The True Cost of Drugs in Prisons

The National Audit Office published a significant report this week on the costs of tackling drug harms in prisons. As of April 2025, approximately 40,000 people in prisons in England and Wales – around half the prison population – had an identified drug problem. Between December 2022 and December 2024, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman investigated 833 deaths, of which 136 (16%) were drug-related. The report also documents how drug availability inside prisons creates illicit economies that fuel debt, extortion and assault.

For employers taking on people with prior convictions – a group the government actively encourages businesses to consider – robust pre-employment drug testing is a sensible and proportionate step, alongside a clear policy aligned with ACAS workplace drug testing guidance.

Recreational Drug Use Linked to Doubled Stroke Risk

A peer-reviewed study published earlier this week found that recreational drug use may more than double the risk of stroke. The research, covered by the Guardian and based on a systematic review, meta-analyses and Mendelian randomisation analysis, adds to the growing body of evidence linking illicit substance use to serious cardiovascular events. For safety-critical roles, this is another reason why drug testing isn’t just about compliance – it is about managing genuine risk to life.

More Than 200 Arrested in County Lines Drug Raids

Closer to the employer’s world, more than 200 people were arrested in county lines drug raids, according to the BBC. County lines operations have a direct bearing on workplaces: they drive the supply of drugs into communities and can involve the exploitation of vulnerable employees. Separately, a police crackdown on a housing estate reported this week had made the area a “difficult place to buy drugs,” demonstrating what targeted enforcement can achieve at a local level.

Key Takeaways for UK Employers This Week

Three things stand out from this week’s news. First, ketamine is no longer a niche concern – with a 251% rise in treatment numbers and a Parliamentary EDM tabled, it is firmly on the policy agenda and should be on your testing panel. Second, mixed-substance drugs like pink cocaine make single-panel testing increasingly inadequate for organisations that want meaningful assurance. Third, the NAO’s prison drugs report is a timely reminder that drug problems do not stay inside institution walls – they follow people into the workforce.

If your current testing kit does not cover ketamine and MDMA, it may be time to review what you are actually screening for. Our guide comparing 12 vs 18 panel drug test kits is a good place to start that conversation.

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