Schoolchildren collapse after unknowingly inhaling spice vape
Experts warn young people who think they are buying cannabis extract could be making fatal mistake
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Your support makes all the difference.Five schoolchildren were among a number of young people to collapse after unwittingly taking the synthetic drug spice.
A public health warning has been issued over vape liquids containing the cannabis substitute following several reports of hospitalisations in the Greater Manchester area.
Two incidents in Oldham have led to five school-age children collapsing and having to be rushed to hospital.
A number of other young people also required medical attention following several incidents in Rochdale and Bury between February and June this year.
Two different forms of the drug have been recovered – one came in a 10ml e-liquid bottle, while the other was a ready-filled e-cigarette cartridge.
The drugs have been sold under various names, including “THC vape juice”, “THC vape pens”, “THC oil”, “cannabis oil” or “cannabis vape juice”.
However, tests conducted on samples used in two on the incidents confirmed the compound is the same chemical found in spice.
None of the individuals involved suffered long-term health effects. Greater Manchester Police are investigating the incidents but no arrests have been made.
The health warning has been issued on behalf of the Greater Manchester Drug Alerts Panel, which brings together police, NHS, local authorities and drug user support agencies.
Panel member, Dr Prun Bijral, said: “Inhaling even a single vape of this type of drug in this way for a young person with no tolerance is highly likely to lead to negative physical and mental effects. Young people who buy this product thinking it will have an effect similar to natural cannabis are not only being ripped off, they are also putting themselves and their friends in real danger.”
Spice first became prevalent in the UK as a legal high, but soon became infamous for its ability to trigger severe side effects in users including psychosis, hallucinations and aggressive behaviour.
It became a banned Class B substance in 2016, although there have been calls, including from 20 police commissioners across Britain, for it to be upgraded to Class A – the most serious category.
Michael Linnell, a drugs use expert who coordinates the drug alerts panel, warned young people could potentially give themselves fatal poisoning by vaping with the liquid.
“The risk of vaping spice is far more dangerous than from a natural cannabis product,” he added. “It is difficult for even experienced spice users to judge dosage and unintentionally administering a toxic dose is common.”
Additional reporting by Press Association
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