Young people in Devon and Cornwall warned about dangerous, illegal vaping liquid
Police have been visiting schools in Plymouth to educate students on the health risks
Last updated 21st Mar 2024
Devon and Cornwall Police are warning young people about the use of dangerous and illegal vaping liquid.
The Force say they have seen a rise in illegal vapes, where the liquid has been replaced with Class B drugs THC (the active compound in cannabis) and spice (a synthetic cannabinoid).
The Child Centred Policing Team have visited eight secondary schools in Plymouth to educate pupils on the health risks of using illegal vapes and the criminal consequences if they are found to be in possession of vapes containing THC or spice - which includes a maximum prison sentence of five years or an unlimited fine.
It has been reported that some schoolchildren have been using vapes containing unknown substances such as THC and spice before school and coming to school in an unwell state.
"Alarming"
PC Sarah Goudie said: "It is alarming to hear that some teenagers in our community have access to vapes containing an unknown amount of controlled drugs such as THC and spice.
"As the drugs are not regulated, this poses a significant unknown threat to their health. Our campaign in eight secondary schools across the city has been successful, and we have had many engaging discussions with pupils.
"We hope that increasing education of the dangers of possessing controlled drugs within vapes makes those who use these vapes think twice about doing so."
Devon and Cornwall Police say due to the levels of these controlled substances in the vapes being unknown, the risks to teenagers taking these substances present health risks which are uncertain and have led to hospitalisations in other parts of the country.
PC Goudie continued: "In addition, we have worked closely with Public Health to establish a process to deal with incidents of children vaping unknown substances in schools.
"The Youth Intervention Officers have been upskilling officers and staff, ensuring they are fully equipped to deal with such incidents when they arise."
Devon and Cornwall Police and Police Cadets have been supporting Trading Standards with a test purchase operation, which found one shop out of the six shops tested sold a vape to an underage person.
Trading Standards are now pursuing this, and intend on holding more test purchase operations in conjunction with the Force in the future.