Warning of risk of serious hurt as synthetic substance found in vapes in 28 out of 38 schools tested.
According to a study, one out of every six vapes confiscated in English Schools contain the highly addictive “zombie drug.”
Analysis from 38 schools found that the synthetic street drug, which is categorized as class B alongside ketamine and GHB, was present in nearly 100 devices. The researchers suspected the substance was being used in vapes labeled as containing cannabis oil.
The University of Bath analyzed the 596 vapes seized in schools in London, the West Midlands, Great Manchester, and South Yorkshire and discovered spice in at least one vape in 28 schools.
The drug, which can cause heart attacks, seizures, and psychotic episodes, was discovered in 16.6% of the vapes tested, with approximately one in 100 containing THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis. One vape examined had trace amounts of heroin.
Chris Pudney, a professor of applied biochemistry at the University of Bath, created a portable instrument that instantly detects synthetic drugs. It is used to test vapes, and he was astonished to see how many of them contained spices.
“What shocked me was that the percentages were so high – almost unbelievable. I was expecting a figure around 10 times lower. The vapes we tested were taken from pupils during a normal school day, not because teachers [thought] there were drugs in them, but just because vapes are not allowed in schools.”
The tests also revealed that spice was more commonly added to refillable vapes than disposable ones.
The results follow research published in June, which showed a significant increasing vaping among teenagers.
Pudney stated, “This is not just a niche, one-off occurrence that happens in a school far away from you; this is something common. Teenagers think they are purchasing vapes or vape fluid containing THC or nicotine when, in fact, these are laced with spice.
“We know children can have cardiac arrests when they smoke spice, and I believe some have come quite close to death. Headteachers are telling me pupils are collapsing in the halls and ending up with long stays in intensive care.”
Headteacher at Ambrose Barlow RC in Salford, Ben Davis, who invited Pudney to examine a batch of seized vapes at the school in July, stated that he had seen children under the influence of spice and that two of his students had collapsed. As a result, causing distress to staff, students, and their families.
He added, “What do we do if it happens again and we’re unaware? What if it happens in a bathroom cubicle and they are alone? It would only be when they didn’t show up for class, were marked absent, and we started searching for them, potentially finding them too late. We’ve been fortunate so far, but I believe it’s only a matter of time before serious injuries or fatalities occur.”
“My message to families is, don’t assume your child is not involved. There’s a high chance they are, or they know someone who is. Please talk to them about it. Be open, non-judgmental and accepting. As soon as you judge or blame, barriers will go up and you won’t reach your child. This conversation is crucial for their safety.”
Chief Inspector Sarah Johns at Devon Cornwall Police, one of the authorities using Pudney’s testing device, stated, “Our clear message to all young people is that the risks associated with unregulated vapes are not worth it. Young people obtaining these fluids or being offered them will never be able to know for sure what’s in them, and if it’s spice, then that could lead to serious harm.”
A government spokesperson stated, “We are banning vapes from being branded and advertised to appeal to children, including restricting their packaging, flavors, and display.”
“In addition, the government provides funding to Trading Standards and Border Force to crack down on illegal sellers and undertake testing of products.”
