Startling findings reveal that up to 25% of vapes confiscated in secondary schools contain the dangerous synthetic drug “spice”! A deep dive by the University of Bath across 114 schools in England discovered this alarming trend. While overall, 13% of samples contained spice, the numbers spiked to 25% in places like London and Lancashire.
Spice, often falsely marketed as THC (the active ingredient in cannabis), is making its rounds in the teen vaping scene due to its affordability and ease of access. With just a few clicks on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, spice-vapes are readily available, posing severe health risks, including psychosis, seizures, and heart issues.
Professor Chris Pudney led the research, highlighting a failure in online safety as these platforms inadvertently promote drug dealing activities. Young users think they’re getting a cannabis-like experience but end up exposed to a highly addictive and unpredictable substance.
The campaign for heightened regulation is real. The study urges Ofcom to bolster enforcement against these online dangers, ensuring social platforms swiftly remove illegal drug content. The Online Safety Act aims to clamp down on these issues by fining non-compliant companies.
Fiona Spargo-Mabbs, a prominent voice from the drug education field, warns of the rising risks as students return to schools. With a potential surge in spice use among teens, the research stresses an urgent need for action to keep kids safe from this potent menace.
Bottom line: Keep our kids protected, and support measures to clean up our beloved social platforms! 💪📱🚫