Ketamine: reclassification alone will not reduce harms

Key Points

• Reclassifying ketamine alone is unlikely to mitigate harm effectively, as more comprehensive public health strategies are needed.
• Public health actions must accompany legal changes to significantly impact harm reduction related to ketamine use.
• The commentary argues for a holistic approach to drug policy that integrates legal, educational, and health interventions.
• Failure to implement parallel public health measures may render reclassification a mere symbolic move rather than a meaningful solution.