Children taken to hospital after using vapes laced with 'zombie drug' Spice - as parents are urged to watch out for 'contaminated' pens sold on Snapchat
There has been an increase in contaminated vapes, which are commonly sold on social media platforms such as Snapchat, found at secondary schools across Wiltshire, police have said.
Spice is a lab-made drug which mimics the effects of cannabis but with much stronger consequences.
It can cause serious side effects like breathing problems, heart attacks and seizures.
Other symptoms include feeling dizzy, vomiting, heart racing, sweating, anxiety, and paranoia.
Police in Wiltshire say they are now using a new device to test vapes in schools to check if they have been contaminated.
The force is working with Bath University, Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Council to test any suspected contaminated vapes to mitigate any further risks to students.
Officers are urging parents to talk to their children about the dangers of using contaminated vapes after the discovery.
PCSO Jon Akehurst said: 'I'd urge parents to have conversations with your child about the dangers and risks as well as what happens if they do use a vape which is contaminated with something.
'Make it clear that if you do take these things, it has an impact on your life.
WHAT IS 'SPICE'?
Spice is a synthetic high which falls into a category of substances that give the body an artificial rush of endorphins, or 'high'.
It is a synthetic cannabinoid which has similar effects to natural cannabis.
However it is much more potent and reacts more strongly with the brain's receptors.
Regular use can cause a relapse of mental illness or increase the risk of developing one.
Studies have shown it can also lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, drowsiness, confusion, shaking, sweating, nausea, vomiting and fits.
Along with many other so-called 'legal highs', Spice became illegal under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 and remains a category B drug, along with cannabis, ketamine and codeine.
It is illegal to produce, sell or give away Spice. Sharing vapes containing THC or Spice with friends could result in a maximum prison sentence of 14 years or an unlimited fine.
'You may have a substance addiction; you might need it constantly, it's going to cost you money, and you could end up in debt.
'There are real-life consequences for anyone taking drugs.
'If you are concerned about your child, there are people that can help and support you.
'Unfortunately, with spice there can be many different reactions.
'We've seen vomiting and behaviour changes, and we've had an incident where there were concerns that a child was having a fit.
'The reactions can be very, very broad. Behaviour changes seem to be the biggest concern for schools, with students being fine before lunch, but after lunch they are elevated in aggression, say.'
A shocking study last year found that one in six vapes confiscated from school children in England was found to be laced with the 'zombie drug' spice.
Professor Chris Pudney, an expert in biotechnology from the University of Bath, conducted tests using the world's first portable device that instantly detects synthetic drugs.
Working with concerned schools and police forces, he tested 596 confiscated vapes and discovered Spice at 28 out of 38 (74 per cent) of schools across London, the West Midlands, Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire.
About one in six (16.6 per cent) of the vapes contained Spice, while roughly one in 100 (1.17 per cent) contained THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis.
Earlier this year, it was reported by that pupils from Unity City Academy in Middlesbrough were admitted to hospital.
Meanwhile, one teenage girl from Teesside collapsed at school after trying a contaminated vape containing the spice drug.
Professor Pudney said: '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.
'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.'
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