Children as Young as 13 Addicted to Spice-laced Vapes

Children as young as 13 are buying vape liquids on Snapchat without realizing the products have been laced with the dangerous synthetic drug spice, a BBC investigation has found.

A BBC reporter, posing as a schoolgirl, purchased four bottles from a dealer on the platform. Lab tests later confirmed they contained spice, sometimes referred to as the “zombie drug.” Teenagers who have vaped it report severe withdrawal symptoms, and one parent said she feared finding her daughter dead in her bed.

A Snapchat spokesperson said the site strictly prohibits buying and selling vapes or illegal drugs and actively shuts down dealers’ accounts.

Research from the University of Bath highlights a growing threat to young people unwittingly consuming spice. In one area, over a quarter of confiscated vapes from schools tested positive for the substance.

Teenagers At Risk

Ella, 15, started vaping at 12 despite the UK’s legal age restriction. Within months, she and her friend Sophie, 14, moved on to vapes they believed contained THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. Both became addicted, buying from a dealer advertising via Snapchat: £10 a bottle, or three for £20.

“This girl at school just said ‘try this,’ and I did. It got me high, so I kept buying it,” Sophie said.

The girls’ mothers, Sarah and Dawn, described alarming changes in their daughters’ behaviour. Ella became withdrawn and emotionally volatile, while Sophie began sneaking out at night and collapsed on the sofa from exhaustion. On one occasion, both went missing overnight, and it took 36 hours to locate them.

Without access to the vape, Sophie experienced violent withdrawal: nausea, cold sweats, a racing heart, constant fatigue, and loss of appetite. Ella’s overnight hospitalisation was a turning point, her mother said.

Testing confirms the danger

Both girls’ vapes were sent to Wedinos, the UK’s only national drug-checking service for the public. Two samples tested positive for spice. Prof Rick Lines, head of Wedinos’ Substance Misuse Programme, said around 40% of over 300 vapes tested last year contained spice.

“People risk consuming substances far more potent or toxic than they expect,” he warned.

Dawn said: “This stuff is dangerous… for adults and even more so for children. Adults making money from this are absolute scum.”

Undercover Reporting

A BBC undercover reporter also purchased THC vape liquids from a Snapchat dealer. All four bottles later tested positive for spice. Advertisements on the platform offered same-day delivery across Warwickshire and Birmingham..

Prevalence in schools

University of Bath research shows drug-laced vapes are widespread in schools and sold via social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, often marketed as THC. In seven police areas over two academic years, 13% of confiscated vapes contained spice, rising to 27% in Lancashire.

Prof Chris Pudney said: “I am shocked at how blatant the sale of these drugs is on social media, particularly on platforms used by young people.”

Social media companies said they actively remove dealer accounts and block drug-related content. Snapchat reported removing 2.4 million drug-related posts and disabling 516,000 accounts in 2024.

Law enforcement response

Sarah reported her concerns to Warwickshire Police a year ago. She was told the case was part of an ongoing investigation. Supt Helen Waite said the force is gathering evidence on THC- or spice-laced vapes being sold to young people.

Recovery

Both Ella and Sophie have stopped using illegal vapes. Ella said: “Spice made me lose weight and confidence. It’s not a good thing to take – you get addicted and feel like you’re physically dying.””