Spice Vapes in Schools: A Growing Crisis

0:00On March 7, spice-laced vapes are turning up in schools across the UK, sending kids into collapses in comas, writing classrooms. This synthetic drug, meant to mimic cannabis before more dangerous, has hit children as young as 11. Research shows up to one quarter of confiscated vapes in parts of England, contain spice, sparking a surge in hospital visits. Dillers are pushing these contaminated vapes online through social media, fooling teens into thinking they are buying harmless THC. Platforms like Tiktok hosts ads for millions of pounds worth of the drug, with some single post-promoting loads valued at nearly 2 million pounds. It's a cheap, addictive alternative that's easy to hide and flavor sweetly for young users. Kids are suffering severe effects, like seizures, heart issues, and hallucinations, with some needing weeks in hospital to relearn basic skills. School bathrooms and playgrounds have become hotspots, and the drugs grip has led to overdoses during school hours. Kids and teachers report a growing crisis that's disrupting daily life.

1:02New studies from the University of Bath confirm spice in 13% of tested vapes nationwide, climbing higher in London and Lancashire. Even worse, some pre-teens are dealing it themselves, pulling in 400 pounds a day after sourcing supplies online. International gangs fuel this multi-million pound trade. Authorities are urging platforms to remove dealer accounts faster under new safety laws, while schools ramp up searches. As cases climb, experts warned this hidden threat could claim more young lives, unless social media steps up its game.