Synthetic cannabinoids, widely known as spice, have been found in a worrying number of vape devices confiscated from 11-16 year old pupils in English secondary schools.
Researchers from the University of Bath visited 38 schools in London, the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and South Yorkshire. 100 of the 596 devices tested were found to contain spice, one vape tested positive for traces of heroin and 6 were found to contain THC.
Researchers said they were alarmed by how many vapes were found to contain spice.
“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” said University of Bath Professor Chris Pudney.
“Teenagers think they are purchasing vapes or vape fluid containing THC or nicotine when, in fact, they 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.”
Spice is a name given to a group of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) that are designed to mimic the effects of cannabis. It was first sold legally for human consumption in the UK in 2005 as a way to circumnavigate the laws on cannabis under names such as Black Mamba, K2 and Mary Joy. SCs were made illegal in the UK under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.
Negative reactions to SCs include heart palpitations, paranoia, intense anxiety, nausea, vomiting, confusion, poor coordination, and seizures. Users often become addicted and some have reported turning back to heroin to help them wean off SCs.
Despite being illegal, SCs remain popular amongst prison inmates and within the homeless community. Many inmates are exploited by dealers and gangs who are targeted after becoming hooked on SCs, and some people living on the street have blamed the use of SCs on their ability to help them ‘blackout and forget about life’.
Parents and guardians have been advised to discuss the dangers of vaping and SCs with their children to be sure they understand the risks and consequences that can result from doing so.
“This is not just a niche, one-off occurrence that happens in a school far away from you; this is something common. As we go into the school holidays if we can have an open dialogue and talk with children about the risks they face, then they’ve got a chance of making a different choice.” Professor Pudney said.
Ben Davis, a Headteacher at a school that took part in the confiscated vapes investigation described his experiences dealing with the effects of SCs on school children: “We’ve had specific instances of young people under the influence of spice. I recall one young man describing how his hands felt like cartoon hands. He couldn’t control them and they felt like they didn’t belong to him. We’ve also witnessed two children collapsing.
“Dealing with the aftermath is challenging, especially when you have to explain to the child’s family that something potentially life-threatening happened while they were in our care. It’s equally distressing for their friends who witnessed the collapse and for the staff involved—it’s their worst fear realised.
“What do we do if it happens again and we’re unaware? One incident occurred on the playground, where many people were present to help. But 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.”
