AN URGENT warning has been issued to Scottish parents after dozens of primary school children have been hospitalised after smoking ‘zombie’ drug vapes.
An increasing number of pupils across Scottish primary schools have been found with vape pens by staff, according to The Scotsman.
And it is feared by both teachers and students that the pens could be laced with illicit substances and often contain cannabis.
However, an expert has said he has “full confidence” that they actually contain Spice – a “zombie-like” drug that was banned in 2016.
The illegal synthetic high is designed to mimic the effects of cannabis, but it can have severe debilitating effects.
It was given the “zombie” label after users were seen twitching or in a catatonic state, and is considered as addictive as heroin or cocaine.
Reports from Public HealthScotland have found that there has been an increase in reports of synthetic cannabis vapes and THC.
It stated that there has been a general rise in “overdose clusters, public overdoses, sudden collapse and wounds and infections”.
It is terrifying that kids of primary school age are using vapes containing extremely dangerous substances
Dr Sandesh Gulhane
And it added that many of these reports involved young people who needed to be hospitalised.
The Scotsman revealed that 120 incidents involving schoolchildren being caught with these dangerous vapes were recorded across 11 Scottish councils.
But it feared that this number could be much larger as many of the biggest councils, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, and North and South Lanarkshire, saying they do not hold data relating to incidents involving illegal substances in vape pens.
In Fife, 12 incidents were recorded involving primary school children, which is higher than the nine reports received that involved high school pupils.
However, the local authority revealed that the vapes involved were not tested, so it is unclear what substances were in the pens.
Stirling Council also admitted to not testing vape pens that were caught, and both Highland Council and West Dunbartonshire Council refused to release the exact figures of the number of incidents recorded.
Council chiefs in Dundee confirmed that Spice was discovered in vapes being used in secondary schools – three incidents in total were recorded over the past two years with two vapes found to contain the drug while the third was found to contain cannabis.
There has also been a surge of incidents involving vapes across secondary schools in Argyll and Bute with six reports recorded in 21/22, nine in 22/23 and then 15 in 23/24 – all the pens seized were found to contain cannabis but not Spice.
East Renfrewshire Council revealed that there has been 14 vape-related incidents recorded in high schools which also all contained cannabis.
There were also four instances in the Scottish Borders last year, a further five in Renfrewshire, three in Perth in Kinross in the last two years and one in the Western Isles.
The drug supply appears increasingly toxic and unpredictable
Public Health Scotland
While Falkirk Council stated it could not release exact figures on these types of incidents, five pupils at Graeme High School became unwell on their lunch break after smoking an unknown substance in a vape.
The incident saw a 13-year-old boy being rushed to hospital in an ambulance.
The incidents come after University of Bath professor Chris Pudney revealed in a recent study that one in six vapes discovered in English schools tested positive for Spice.
He said: “Unless your [Scottish] authorities are getting testing done, they won’t know if it is cannabis [THC] or Spice.”
The professor also explained that many young people are getting their hands on vapes containing because they are cheaper than those with cannabis or THC.
THC vapes are expensive and can cost between £15 and £60 to ship from America, while Spice is expected to cost a third of the price and is more readily available online, with youngsters able to buy them on apps like Snapchat and Telegram and have them delivered.
Professor Pudney said: “We think most young people are being told they are getting a ‘cannabis vape’, but actually substituted for Spice, purely for price.
“So all those things combined come into play and I would have full confidence, though no evidence, that the ‘cannabis’ vapes [recorded by Scottish schools] are actually Spice for those reasons.”
Public Health Scotland’s Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly findings also revealed that 13 cases involving synthetic cannabinoids and THC vapes were recorded between April and July 2024.
This has increased by four from the previous quarter, with the report stating: “The drug supply appears increasingly toxic and unpredictable”.
It added: “We have received reports and toxicology data highlighting that a range of drugs are suspected to be adulterated – meaning a substance is added to a drug product to either intentionally or unintentionally change its composition, quality or strength.”
Our schools should be drug-free and it is deeply concerning that the number of kids affected is likely to be even higher
Dr Sandesh Gulhane
It added: “THC vapes are increasingly reported to RADAR from areas across Scotland.
“The majority of these reports relate to young people using THC vapes at school and experiencing adverse effects, with some requiring hospitalisation.”
Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane told The Scotsman that the findings are “terrifying”.
Dr Gulhane said: “It is terrifying that kids of primary school age are using vapes containing extremely dangerous substances.
“Our schools should be drug-free and it is deeply concerning that the number of kids affected is likely to be even higher.
“The Scottish Conservatives have repeatedly called for more to be done to tackle this growing problem, including outlining plans which would bring laws on vaping in line with regulations on smoking.
INDOOR VAPING WARNING
VAPING inside your home may not be as harmless as you thought.
Though the cloud of vapour you exhale may only be visible for an instant, researchers found that it settles into a “thick, oily layer” of toxic slime across surfaces.
As the sticky film of vape chemicals lingers counter tops or sofas, it can then seep into skin that comes in contact with the surfaces.
Though previous research has touched upon the dangers of second-hand vape smoke, this new study from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) highlights yet another way e-cigs might harm those who aren’t even using the devices.
The liquid packed into vape pens will into most cases have nicotine in it, but it can contain a number of other chemicals too.
This includes propylene glycol, glycerol, as well as flavouring and other additives.
When heated it can produce toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein, a hazardous air pollutant, researchers said.
Study co-author Prof Brian Oliver, from UTS and the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, said: “When vapes are used indoors, or in a vehicle, the vapour condenses on surfaces forming a thick, oily layer, and this residue can be absorbed through the skin.”
Dr Richard Kim from the UTS School of Life Sciences, who led the study, added: “Visitors to the homes of friends or relatives who vape might not realise they’re being exposed to harmful chemicals just by touching bench-tops or sitting on the couch.
“People who vape need to understand that this doesn’t just affect them.”
Read more here.
A Scottish Government spokesperson told the Scotsman: “Any increase is alarming so we are committed to ensuring young people are educated about the harms of substance use.
“We are taking forward education in our schools, where children and young people learn about the impact risk-taking behaviour has on life choices and health surrounding a variety of substances including alcohol, medicines, drugs, tobacco and solvents.
“We have invested £1.5 million in the Planet Youth initiative on substance use prevention to take community-based action for young people.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson told the Scottish Sun: “We remain committed to tackling the impact drugs have on our communities.
“You never really know what it is you are taking, and the safest thing to do is not to take them.
“Police Scotland is committed to working with our Public Health Scotland partners to monitor the evolving picture surrounding drugs in Scotland.
“We continue to raise awareness through all our officers.”