Drug experts in Bradford have warned of the grave dangers of using ketamine, a horse tranquilliser increasingly being used as a party drug.

Prolonged and heavy use of the drug can cause urinary incontinence and bladder blockage, as well as damage to the kidneys.

The warning came from local agencies, including Bradford Council and Airedale Bradford and Leeds Primary Care Trust, as they joined forces yesterday to launch Bradford’s first Drugs Prevention Week in a bid to highlight the dangers of taking drugs.

The campaign was launched with an event in which students tried their hand at abseiling down the side of The Culture Fusion Youth Centre, demonstrating there are healthy and exciting alternatives to taking drugs.

Bradford has held ‘Tackling Drugs Week’, led by the police, in the past, which concentrated on the most dangerous drugs, but this new campaign is focusing on recreational drugs, in particular cannabis, cocaine, ketamine and M-Catt. The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Dale Smith, who is supporting the campaign, attended the launch yesterday.

He said: “Contrary to what some people may think, a big majority of young people do not use drugs. They have more sense. But some do use, and during this week we want not only to challenge their drug use, but also to make them aware of other exciting ways they can spend their leisure time.”

While drug use among children and young people in England and Wales has declined since 2001, 18 per cent of 11 to 15 year olds reported in 2010 that they had taken drugs at least once in their lives.

The week-long campaign has been organised by Bradford Council alongside West Yorkshire Police and other partners, and will run until Friday, July 13.

At the launch, students produced posters and flyers to encourage young people to stay away from drugs, and exercise and fitness classes were run.

Young people also tried basketball, football and walking along a straight line wearing ‘beer goggles’ to find out how drugs can affect co-ordination.

Steve Waite, gym instructor from The Bridge Project, a drugs treatment charity, set up the activities.

Workers from Bradford Council’s Young People’s Drugs and Alcohol Service talked to students and answered questions.

Events, advice and information will be available throughout the week from The Culture Fusion Building, Thornton Road, Bradford. For more details, contact (01274) 307228.