Children collapsing at school from drug-laced vapes, Met warns

THE Metropolitan Police has warned parents that teenagers are collapsing in school after using vapes spiked with dangerous drugs.

Police officers in London have seized vapes that have been confiscated from pupils and sent them for testing for substances including spice, the addictive drug that can leave users in a zombie-like state. Vapes have also been found to contain THC, a psychoactive drug found in cannabis.

Police believe that some reusable vape pens are being filled with drugs by dealers, who are then selling the devices to young people using Snapchat and other social media apps.

Officers have received reports of pupils becoming unwell after using them, with some young people collapsing in school. In a letter sent to parents this week in Sutton, south London, police said: “It is important for parents to be aware that unregulated vape pens can cause serious damage.

“Young people thinking of buying these illicit, home-filled devices have no idea what has gone into them, and the potential danger they could cause.” Sgt Sarah Tynan, Sutton schools and youth officer, warned that in some cases, one dose of spice can be lethal.

She said: “Inhaling spice through a vaping pen is extremely dangerous for young people and can lead to health problems such as breathing difficulties, chest pains, heart palpitations, seizures, extreme anxiety, paranoia, suicidal thoughts, psychosis, vomiting or diarrhoea and acute kidney injury. In some cases, a single dose can kill.”

Sgt Tynan has urged parents, guardians or anyone with information about those supplying the vapes to contact police or Crimestoppers.

The warning comes after local authorities in Middlesbrough, Hampshire and Brighton issued warnings on the effects of drugs being inhaled by young people using vapes.

A survey of 4,000 teachers by the NASUWT teachers’ union in October found that 85 per cent believed vaping was a problem on school premises.

One teacher told the union that “students are vaping THC and being sick, passing out and being high while on school premises”.

A spokesman for Sutton council said: “We are working with schools and health partners to ensure that students receive the right information about the [risks] associated with using vapes.”