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Metro
7 days ago
- Metro
An ode to Birmingham, the 'tragic' city everyone loves to hate
In the 13th installment of Metro Travel Hot Takes, Josie Copson pleads the case for the city where she grew up. A couple of months ago, a TikTok trend revealed the disdain people have for Birmingham. When a woman posting as RosyAmyG3 enthusiastically declared 'I'm going to Birmingham' on a live stream about summer holidays, the internet couldn't wait to use the audio to show parts of the city they deemed disappointing. Against the backdrop of ongoing bin strikes, I'll admit it was an easy target. But disparaging narratives about Brum have been around for much longer. And as someone who grew up near that much-maligned metropolis, I'm here to tell you that it's both ignorant and unfair. It wasn't until I went to university in Cardiff that I realised what the outside world says about my city. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. As well as learning how much people love to attempt the accent, it was clear that some viewed Birmingham as a grey, lifeless city devoid of culture and intelligent people. Research confirms this; a study from Bath University showed Brummies are likely to be seen as stupid. Jokes were fair game and took a different shape to dig at other places. Nobody said 'sorry about that' to Nottingham or Newport. In most cases, those slagging it off had never been there. They'd never turned off at the spaghetti junction (Birmingham's infamously complex interchange), and so they should probably have 0121, do one. My experience and my opinion couldn't be different. I grew up in Old Hill, around 40 minutes from the centre, and to me, Birmingham is a place of excitement. It gave me a love for city life that has only grown in adulthood. During one primary school English class, I produced a 'write to persuade' letter to then-Prime Minister Tony Blair, suggesting that it become the capital of the UK. I never received a reply. While I've abandoned that dream, I haven't given up on telling anyone who'll listen that Birmingham is one of the best places on the planet. The hate it gets on TikTok is both unoriginal and undeserved. The hill I will die on is that everyone should go on a city break to Birmingham. Here's why. I'm ready to be trolled, but I want to start my line of defence with a place not technically in Birmingham — The Black Country Living Museum. As the title suggests, it's in the neighbouring Black Country, but I couldn't write this without mentioning it. Not only does it incorporate the city's history into one immersive tourist attraction, but it's my personal Disneyland, and I'm not the only one who thinks it's bostin'. Last year, it picked up the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award. The open-air museum, which features in Peaky Blinders, has rebuilt old buildings brick by brick in an easy-to-navigate patch of land, allowing visitors to step back in time and discover the rich history of the world's first industrial landscape. It's such silly fun, talking to actors who'll pretend to marvel at your iPhone, before heading to a vintage fairground to discover your future at a Big-style fortune-telling machine, or pulling up at the car garage filled with traditional vehicles. Hours can be passed by donning a hard hat to go down the mines or getting a lesson from a Victorian teacher — being mischievous with a blackboard and chalk for the strict educator character is a rite of passage in the childhood of people from my ends. As buying a ticket grants you access for a whole year, I've been known to walk in just to grab the famous fish and chips cooked in beef dripping, and fill my pockets at the traditional sweet shop, before heading to the reasonably priced pub. Similar to the way Pepsi tastes better at KFC, Vimto tastes much better at the Elephant and Castle pub than the ones that can be bought at a corner shop. Don't ask why, just drink. Heading into Birmingham city centre, there is plenty more culture to soak up. My idea of a great day out is a wander through the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, home to a rotating wheel of exhibitions. Most are free. I distinctly remember an Andy Warhol special, in which my face was transformed into a painting in his style, being one of the best days of my summer holidays in the 00s. Currently, it is honouring local working-class hero Ozzy Osbourne by telling his rags-to-riches story in its halls, which will now take on extra significance following his death. Once outside the museum, you're treated to the beauty of the classic architecture of Chamberlain Square, often described as Romanesque. It's the perfect place to nail the Instagram shot for your weekend away, so you can play your part in dismantling the viewpoint that the city isn't pretty. Also worth a look is the Birmingham Library, which has a distinctive circular aluminium design. Once you've got your fill of the books, head up the escalators and onto the secret roof garden, where you'll get a bird's eye view of the cityscape. Talking of Italy, Birmingham has more miles of canal than Venice, and they can be explored on boat tours or enjoyed from one of the lively waterfront bars. Nightclubs are on their way out. Gen Zers are said to prefer running clubs to raves, and online chitchat to face-to-face dates. But you'd never know it in Birmingham. Here, people are still in search of a good time at all times. If you've listened to Lotto Boyzz's song Birmingham, then you've heard of Broad Street, but what you really need to know about is the nightclub Bushys, officially Bushwackers. Just a five-minute taxi away, it is open from 1am-6am every Sunday morning and unites the most committed partygoers. It's an addictive place that meant I was rarely awake for roast dinners for most of my early adulthood. Everyone should experience it once. For those who don't want to move their hips until sunrise, there's the legendary Jam House, opened by Jools Holland in 1999, that has welcomed Chaka Khan, The Specials and Westlife to the intimate stage. Big names are not a requirement for a good night here, just a pair of shoes you can dance in as the band covers all the crowd-pleasers. It's like the best wedding party you've ever been to every single night. Everything about Birmingham has an essence of whimsical silliness about it, from the bull stationed outside the Bullring that has more outfits than Paris Hilton's chihuahuas to the metallic silver Selfridges building replicating a woman's body and the Pat Butcher mural in Digbeth. Talking of which, the district is Birmingham's answer to East London, full of cool breweries and chic young adults hanging out at coffee shops, wine bars, and arcades. Birmingham is full of characters. It is the place that gave the world national treasure Alison Hammond, who still lived in Solihull until very recently. She's not the only superstar in residence. There's Jamelia, along with Cat Deeley, Emma Willis, Jeff Lynne, and Julie Walters. My personal favourite to drop into conversation is actor Felicity Jones. But it's not just those who've found fame who make it; it's every person. Brummies have been voted the top 10 friendliest people in the UK, and it's why, wherever I hear the distinct lilt of a Birmingham accent, I instantly feel comforted. Even the usually cold retail assistants at designer concessions are down-to-earth in good 'ol Brum. So when I'm putting myself into debt for a new pair of Christian Louboutins or a Louis Vuitton bag, at least I get a smile in the process. It's also one of the country's most diverse cities — according to the 2021 Census, over half of Birmingham's residents identify with an ethnic group other than White British, and it's home to people from 187 different nationalities. I felt lucky that, as a mixed person, I got to live somewhere so reflective of the world. The influence is clear in the food scene, you can get a beautiful Indian curry (Birmingham is often credited as popularising the balti) or a beef dinner, both of equal standard in the same vicinity — Opheem and Pastures are fail-safe options. While in December, the city looks like it belongs in a Hallmark movie, thanks to the Frankfurt Christmas Market (referred to as the German market by locals). In 2023, more people visited the West Midlands (Birmingham being its biggest city) than ever before. So, viral trends aside, I'm hopeful its negative reputation is on the way out. More Trending My city has so much to offer, and anyone who refuses to see that is, to be honest, a bit lazy. I'm sure a weekend in Birmingham (ideally sleeping at the gorgeous and recently renovated Grand Hotel) could convince even the biggest naysayers. And not that it matters, but the Birmingham accent is one of the sexiest in the world. Just listen to Thomas Shelby. MORE: Woman caught on camera waving knife and yelling racist abuse at man on street MORE: I dreamed of Thailand's paradise island, but I left it too late to visit MORE: Ali went for a walk to clear his head – but what happened next is a mystery
The Irish Sun
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Urgent warning over vapes laced with deadly ‘zombie drug' – as children rushed to hospital
VAPES laced with the deadly 'zombie drug' spice are turning up in British schools and leaving kids in hospital. Wiltshire cops say tainted vapes flogged on Snapchat are flooding schools, leaving kids suffering seizures and terrifying personality changes. 4 Vapes laced with deadly 'zombie drug' spice are popping up in UK schools Credit: Getty 4 Kids smoking the drug are being left in hospital Credit: Getty "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," PCSO Jon Akehurst, said in a "Make it clear that if you do take these things, it has an impact on your life. However, it is usually much stronger than cannabis, causing terrifying side effects like seizures, heart attacks, and breathing trouble. Read more on spice Victims also suffer dizziness, It has been nicknamed the 'zombie drug', with some of the poorest parts of Britain seeing streets littered with near-unconscious addicts . Cops fear that Spice is now sweeping schools across the UK after reports of kids collapsing in Middlesbrough , Yorkshire and Scotland . Now they're using new gadgets in schools to sniff out the dodgy vapes and keep children safe. Most read in Health It comes as the ban on single-use vapes has come into effect, part of a tough crackdown designed to stop kids from getting hooked and reduce waste. Police raid largest spice vapes operation after kids were left hospitalised 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. "If you are concerned about your child, there are people that can help and support you," Jon added. "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. 4 Spice is a lab-made drug meant to mimic cannabis, but it's far stronger and more dangerous Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Meanwhile, Public Health Wales reported testing 196 vape e-liquid samples, finding over a third contained synthetic cannabinoids. In March, 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. What is Spice? The synthetic cannabinoids collectively known as Spice are made up of a range of amphetamines and other laboratory-created chemicals that vary wildly from batch to batch. Users smoke, drink or eat Spice, often in tea. Before the ban on psychoactive substances in 2016, it was being sold either over the counter or online under a variety of brand names such as Annihilation and GoCaine. It is highly addictive with withdrawal symptoms said to be worse than coming off crack or heroin. Users can suffer vomiting, seizures, terrifying hallucinations and severe psychotic episodes after consuming the drug, according to the NHS. Other side effects can be severe and unpredictable. They include inability to move, dizziness, and breathing difficulties. Chest pain and heart palpitations are common. Extreme anxiety, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts may occur. Psychosis and stomach problems like vomiting or diarrhea can happen. In some cases, acute kidney injury is reported. Spice appears particularly rife in Birmingham and Manchester, where a number of users have been hospitalised after taking the drug. The substance is sometimes dubbed the "zombie drug" because of the effect it can have on users, who are often seen staggering around. An The substance was declared unfit for human consumption by the very person who invented it. Organic chemist John Huffmann accidentally created it in 2006 when searching for a new way of developing anti-inflammatory medication. Two years later the substance began surfacing on websites, usually advertised as a form of incense or plant fertiliser. The drug has been described as similar to cannabis but others have cited effects more like powerful hallucinogenics such as LSD. An even more dangerous crystal form emerged in 2017, believed to be around 20 times more potent than the "usual" strain. 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. 'Some have come quite close to death' Earlier this year, pupils from Unity City Academy in Middlesbrough were hospitalised after using contaminated vapes. Meanwhile, Back in 2019, nine teens collapsed after unknowingly vaping synthetic cannabinoids. And in March, Dan Griffiths, 40, from South Shields, has seen first-hand the damage spice vapes can cause after his 14-year-old son Ash smoked one earlier this month, and collapsed. 'Ash had no idea what was in it,' Dan revealed. 'After a couple of puffs, he collapsed, and his friends were standing there laughing at his reaction. 'Thankfully, a passing nurse saw it and called an ambulance. 'Since then, he's had six seizures, and we're constantly in and out of the hospital. It's changed his life forever.' 4 Ash Griffiths, 14, collapsed after puffing on a vape laced with zombie drug spice Credit: NNP 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."
Scottish Sun
15-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Urgent warning over vapes laced with deadly ‘zombie drug' – as children rushed to hospital
It has been nicknamed the 'zombie drug', with some of the poorest parts of Britain seeing It has been nicknamed the 'zombie drug', with some of the poorest parts of Britain seeing streets littered with near-unconscious addicts 'CONTAMINATED PENS' Urgent warning over vapes laced with deadly 'zombie drug' – as children rushed to hospital Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) VAPES laced with the deadly 'zombie drug' spice are turning up in British schools and leaving kids in hospital. Wiltshire cops say tainted vapes flogged on Snapchat are flooding schools, leaving kids suffering seizures and terrifying personality changes. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Vapes laced with deadly 'zombie drug' spice are popping up in UK schools Credit: Getty 4 Kids smoking the drug are being left in hospital Credit: Getty "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," PCSO Jon Akehurst, said in a statement. "Make it clear that if you do take these things, it has an impact on your life. Spice is a nickname given to synthetic cannabinoids - lab-made drugs that were originally designed to mimic the effects of cannabis. However, it is usually much stronger than cannabis, causing terrifying side effects like seizures, heart attacks, and breathing trouble. Victims also suffer dizziness, vomiting, racing hearts, sweating, panic attacks, and paranoia. It has been nicknamed the 'zombie drug', with some of the poorest parts of Britain seeing streets littered with near-unconscious addicts. Cops fear that Spice is now sweeping schools across the UK after reports of kids collapsing in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire and Scotland. Now they're using new gadgets in schools to sniff out the dodgy vapes and keep children safe. It comes as the ban on single-use vapes has come into effect, part of a tough crackdown designed to stop kids from getting hooked and reduce waste. Police raid largest spice vapes operation after kids were left hospitalised 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. "If you are concerned about your child, there are people that can help and support you," Jon added. "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. 4 Spice is a lab-made drug meant to mimic cannabis, but it's far stronger and more dangerous Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Meanwhile, Public Health Wales reported testing 196 vape e-liquid samples, finding over a third contained synthetic cannabinoids. In March, The Sun joined Greater Manchester Police on an armed raid to expose armed gangs selling kids vapes laced with the deadly drug. 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. What is Spice? The synthetic cannabinoids collectively known as Spice are made up of a range of amphetamines and other laboratory-created chemicals that vary wildly from batch to batch. Users smoke, drink or eat Spice, often in tea. Before the ban on psychoactive substances in 2016, it was being sold either over the counter or online under a variety of brand names such as Annihilation and GoCaine. It is highly addictive with withdrawal symptoms said to be worse than coming off crack or heroin. Users can suffer vomiting, seizures, terrifying hallucinations and severe psychotic episodes after consuming the drug, according to the NHS. Other side effects can be severe and unpredictable. They include inability to move, dizziness, and breathing difficulties. Chest pain and heart palpitations are common. Extreme anxiety, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts may occur. Psychosis and stomach problems like vomiting or diarrhea can happen. In some cases, acute kidney injury is reported. Spice appears particularly rife in Birmingham and Manchester, where a number of users have been hospitalised after taking the drug. The substance is sometimes dubbed the "zombie drug" because of the effect it can have on users, who are often seen staggering around. An ex-spice addict has described the sensation to Metro, saying: 'You just feel brain dead half the time. They say people look like zombies, and that's how it feels." The substance was declared unfit for human consumption by the very person who invented it. Organic chemist John Huffmann accidentally created it in 2006 when searching for a new way of developing anti-inflammatory medication. Two years later the substance began surfacing on websites, usually advertised as a form of incense or plant fertiliser. The drug has been described as similar to cannabis but others have cited effects more like powerful hallucinogenics such as LSD. An even more dangerous crystal form emerged in 2017, believed to be around 20 times more potent than the "usual" strain. 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. 'Some have come quite close to death' Earlier this year, pupils from Unity City Academy in Middlesbrough were hospitalised after using contaminated vapes. Meanwhile, a teenage girl from Teesside nearly died at school after trying a vape laced with the deadly spice drug. Back in 2019, nine teens collapsed after unknowingly vaping synthetic cannabinoids. And in March, two schoolboys in Dalkeith, Scotland were rushed to hospital after taking just one puff of a suspected spice-laced vape. Dan Griffiths, 40, from South Shields, has seen first-hand the damage spice vapes can cause after his 14-year-old son Ash smoked one earlier this month, and collapsed. 'Ash had no idea what was in it,' Dan revealed. 'After a couple of puffs, he collapsed, and his friends were standing there laughing at his reaction. 'Thankfully, a passing nurse saw it and called an ambulance. 'Since then, he's had six seizures, and we're constantly in and out of the hospital. It's changed his life forever.' 4 Ash Griffiths, 14, collapsed after puffing on a vape laced with zombie drug spice Credit: NNP 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."
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Urgent warning over vapes laced with deadly ‘zombie drug' – as children rushed to hospital
VAPES laced with the deadly 'zombie drug' spice are turning up in British schools and leaving kids in hospital. Wiltshire cops say tainted vapes flogged on Snapchat are flooding schools, leaving kids suffering seizures and terrifying personality changes. 4 "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," PCSO Jon Akehurst, said in a statement. "Make it clear that if you do take these things, it has an impact on your life. Spice is a nickname given to synthetic cannabinoids - lab-made drugs that were originally designed to mimic the effects of cannabis. However, it is usually much stronger than cannabis, causing terrifying side effects like seizures, heart attacks, and breathing trouble. Victims also suffer dizziness, vomiting, racing hearts, sweating, panic attacks, and paranoia. streets littered with near-unconscious addicts. Now they're using new gadgets in schools to sniff out the dodgy vapes and keep children safe. It comes as the ban on single-use vapes has come into effect, part of a tough crackdown designed to stop kids from getting hooked and reduce waste. 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. "If you are concerned about your child, there are people that can help and support you," Jon added. "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. 4 Meanwhile, Public Health Wales reported testing 196 vape e-liquid samples, finding over a third contained synthetic cannabinoids. In March, The Sun joined Greater Manchester Police on an armed raid to expose armed gangs selling kids vapes laced with the deadly drug. 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. What is Spice? The synthetic cannabinoids collectively known as Spice are made up of a range of amphetamines and other laboratory-created chemicals that vary wildly from batch to batch. Users smoke, drink or eat Spice, often in tea. Before the ban on psychoactive substances in 2016, it was being sold either over the counter or online under a variety of brand names such as Annihilation and GoCaine. It is highly addictive with withdrawal symptoms said to be worse than coming off crack or heroin. Users can suffer vomiting, seizures, terrifying hallucinations and severe psychotic episodes after consuming the drug, according to the NHS. Other side effects can be severe and unpredictable. They include inability to move, dizziness, and breathing difficulties. Chest pain and heart palpitations are common. Extreme anxiety, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts may occur. Psychosis and stomach problems like vomiting or diarrhea can happen. In some cases, acute kidney injury is reported. Spice appears particularly rife in Birmingham and Manchester, where a number of users have been hospitalised after taking the drug. The substance is sometimes dubbed the "zombie drug" because of the effect it can have on users, who are often seen staggering around. An ex-spice addict has described the sensation to Metro, saying: 'You just feel brain dead half the time. They say people look like zombies, and that's how it feels." The substance was declared unfit for human consumption by the very person who invented it. Organic chemist John Huffmann accidentally created it in 2006 when searching for a new way of developing anti-inflammatory medication. Two years later the substance began surfacing on websites, usually advertised as a form of incense or plant fertiliser. The drug has been described as similar to cannabis but others have cited effects more like powerful hallucinogenics such as LSD. An even more dangerous crystal form emerged in 2017, believed to be around 20 times more potent than the "usual" strain. 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. 'Some have come quite close to death' Earlier this year, pupils from Unity City Academy in Middlesbrough were hospitalised after using contaminated vapes. Meanwhile, a teenage girl from Teesside nearly died at school after trying a vape laced with the deadly spice drug. Back in 2019, nine teens collapsed after unknowingly vaping synthetic cannabinoids. And in March, two schoolboys in Dalkeith, Scotland were rushed to hospital after taking just one puff of a suspected spice-laced vape. Dan Griffiths, 40, from South Shields, has seen first-hand the damage spice vapes can cause after his 14-year-old son Ash smoked one earlier this month, and collapsed. 'Ash had no idea what was in it,' Dan revealed. 'After a couple of puffs, he collapsed, and his friends were standing there laughing at his reaction. 'Thankfully, a passing nurse saw it and called an ambulance. 'Since then, he's had six seizures, and we're constantly in and out of the hospital. It's changed his life forever.' 4 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."
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
UK children taken to hospital after using vapes laced with Spice
An increase in vapes contaminated with synthetic drug Spice has led to secondary school children being rushed to hospital. The lab-made drug which mimics the effects of cannabis but with much stronger consequences, can cause breathing problems, heart attacks and seizures. Other symptoms include feeling dizzy, vomiting, heart racing, sweating, anxiety, and paranoia. Police have warned of a national increase in vapes being contaminated with spice in secondary schools and in severe cases children have been taken to hospital. It comes after a study in a university-led study last year heard from headteachers who reported children collapsing and ending up in hospital. '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,' PSCO Jon Akehurst from Wiltshire Police warned. Police warn of an national increase in vapes laced with Spice (Alamy/PA) Working with Bath University, Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Council, police are using a new device to test any suspected contaminated vapes to prevent any further harm to students. "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,' PCSO Akehurst said. "Make it clear that if you do take these things, it has an impact on your life,' he added. Officers are urging parents to talk to their children about the dangers of using contaminated vapes from the health effects to the impact it can have on your life. PCOS Akehurst warned that there can be many different reactions to the lab-made drug. "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,' he said. Cannabis substitute Spice can cause breathing problems, heart attacks and seizures (Creative Commons) The stark warning comes after an investigation by the University of Bath found one in six vapes confiscated from schools contained Spice. The study published in July last year saw vapes confiscated in 38 schools in England, finding more than 16 per cent contained the synthetic form of cannabis. Professor Chris Pudney, from the university's department of life sciences, conducted the tests using the device that instantly detects synthetic drugs. Professor Pudney said: "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.'
