A mother shared her distressing efforts to rescue her 22-year-old daughter from ketamine addiction before she tragically passed away. Isabelle Sapherson-Moralee, known as Izzy, lost her life after prolonged use of the class B drug for five years caused her body to fail.
Despite Ann Moralee’s persistent attempts over 18 months to seek help for Izzy and warn healthcare authorities about the fatal consequences, her daughter’s health continued to deteriorate. Izzy, struggling with chronic pain and bladder damage from her addiction, chose to return home and declined medical assistance, leading to her untimely demise.
Recounting the heartbreaking moments, Ms. Moralee described her daughter’s refusal for further hospitalization, knowing she was nearing the end. Despite desperate pleas for medical intervention, Izzy succumbed to the effects of ketamine abuse within 36 hours of returning home.
The surge in ketamine abuse among young people in the UK has raised concerns, with a staggering 251.85% increase in usage since 2015, marking the highest rise in drug consumption during that period. Commonly known as ‘K’ or ‘Special K,’ ketamine has been linked to numerous student fatalities in recent years, including Izzy’s case, who began using the drug heavily during the pandemic lockdowns in 2020.
Ms. Moralee, from Wimborne, Dorset, only discovered her daughter’s addiction towards the end of 2023 when it became uncontrollable and affected Izzy’s health severely. Despite efforts to seek help and manage her condition, Izzy’s dependence on ketamine resulted in significant physical harm, leading to her tragic demise from respiratory depression due to morphine and gabapentin toxicity.
During the inquest, Scott Davey from Reach, a drug and alcohol support charity working with Izzy, highlighted the vicious cycle of ketamine abuse, where users resort to increased consumption to alleviate pain caused by the drug’s damaging effects. Emphasizing the recreational beginnings of ketamine use, Mr. Davey emphasized the challenges posed by its accessibility, affordability, and long-term consequences on physical health.
As the investigation into Izzy’s death continues in Bournemouth, the heart-wrenching account of a mother’s struggle to save her daughter sheds light on the devastating impacts of ketamine addiction and the urgent need for enhanced support systems to tackle substance abuse among young individuals.