A MUM has told of her fury after nothing has changed a decade after her daughter died of a Ketamine overdose.
Vicky Unwin, 65, was devastated when her daughter Louise Cattell died after falling asleep in the bath aged just 21.
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Vicky Unwin, 65, was devastated when her daughter Louise Cattell died after falling asleep in the bath aged just 21 Credit: Supplied 5
After taking more than her body could handle Louise got into a warm bath and fell asleep. She never woke up Credit: Supplied
She'd been taking Ketamine with friends to celebrate returning from six weeks travelling around Australia.
But she didn't realise her tolerance for the drug had fallen after her time away from it.
After taking more than her body could handle Louise got into a warm bath and fell asleep. She never woke up.
Now her mum Vicky has dedicated her life to calling for change.
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But she actually wants to make drugs more accessible - rather than less.
She told Sun Online: "If Louise had bought the drugs legally there would have been more guidance on how much she could take.
"She was 5'1 and taking as much as her 6ft friends. It was ignorance."
It comes after the drug was labelled Britain's "campus killer" as it was revealed 41 students have died after taking it since 1999, according to the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths.
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Some seven UK students died in 2021 alone.
But Vicky says making Ketamine, which is currently sold illegally for around ￡3 a dose, legal could change things.
She added: "Students will always want to experience something if it is made out to be exciting.
"The problem is when it's illegal you don't know what's actually in what you're buying."
Vicky, a board member at drug charity Transform, was left bereft after the death of her only daughter Louise in 2011.
Louise was staying at her best friend's house in Clapton, East London, when the pair took the drug on March 2, 2011.
She had taken Ketamine a few times before and even weighed out the dosage.
As her friend went to bed she got into a warm bath.
But she didn't know taking a bath while on a dissociative aesthetic can be deadly.
She fell asleep and drowned.
Vicky said: "I couldn't believe it. I'd only spoken to her the day before and she'd seemed so joyful.
"We were talking about how she'd just sent in her portfolio to apply to study graphic design at the Chelsea School of Arts."
Vicky added that she was relieved she'd been able to tell her daughter how proud she was in their final conversation.
She said: "My husband was going round the next day to help her with her gardening.
"The last thing I said to her was 'I'm so proud of you for getting the portfolio in'. I'm glad about that."
Louise's death was "the most terrible shock," she added.
"You never think it'll happen to you or be something so stupid.
"She was a very smart, switched-on girl. Old and wise beyond her years.
"It was just a really stupid mistake. She died through ignorance.
"No one had ever said not to get in the bath. That advice just wasn't available."
Now, Vicky has spent a decade campaigning to make Katamin legal - an opinion that strongly divides opinion.
She said: "It's a very strong drug and should only be used under supervision.
"That's why university groups of counsellors to help and advise and prevent young people getting into harm is a really good idea.
"Nothing has been done to fix this. Both the Tory and Labour party are against legalisation and decriminalisation.
"Local police forces are turning a blind eye to possession issues.
"It's very disappointing. It makes me feel angry. Alcohol is more dangerous but is regulated. The risks are out there in the open."
In the meantime Ketamine is only becoming more popular.
There has been a 53 per cent increase in the number of young adults reporting Ketamine use since August 2022, according to the adult drug and alcohol treatment service Together.
Vicky added: "After 12 years it seems unreal. It seems impossible to remember we had a daughter.
"It's hard to wonder what she would have been like. She'd be 33 now.
"Would she have kids, a partner? What would she be doing with her life. It would've been amazing whatever it is.
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"A lot of her friends had babies and partners. Her life just stopped."
If you are experiencing problems with your use of ketamine and would like more information please see talktofrank.com/drug/ketamine
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Ketamine is only becoming more popular Credit: Supplied 5
Vicky with Louise on her 18th birthday before a night out Credit: Vicky Unwin 5
Vicky and Louise on holiday together Credit: Vicky Unwin