Face of Nation : At least nine children have needed treatment since February and authorities in Greater Manchester have told people not to use “THC vape”.
Five schoolchildren in the Oldham area collapsed and were taken to hospital after two incidents, and there were other incidents between February and June in Bury and Rochdale.
Two forms of the fake natural cannabis drug have been recovered: a 10ml e-liquid bottle and a ready-filled e-cigarette cartridge.
They have been sold as “THC vape juice”, “THC vape pens”, “THC oil”, “cannabis oil” or “cannabis vape juice”.
Sample tests have shown the drug mixed with the vaping liquid has the same chemical compounds as spice. Spice used to be a legal high until it was banned in 2016 and is often referred to as the “zombie drug” because of the effect it can have on users.
The health warning has been issued by Greater Manchester Drug Alerts Panel, made up of police, NHS, local authorities and drug user support agencies.
Panel member Dr Prun Bijral said the children would not suffer long-term harm, but added: “Inhaling even a single vape of this type of drug in this way for a young person with no tolerance is highly likely to lead to negative physical and mental effects.
“Young people who buy this product thinking it will have an effect similar to natural cannabis are not only being ripped off, they are also putting themselves and their friends in real danger.”
Drugs expert Michael Linnell said: “The risk of vaping spice is far more dangerous than from a natural cannabis product.
“It is difficult for even experienced spice users to judge dosage and unintentionally administering a toxic dose is common.
“Severe poisoning is far more common with synthetic cannabinoids than with cannabis, and in some cases the poisoning may even be fatal.” Police are investigating but there have so far been no arrests.
