Three school pupils were rushed to hospital by ambulance after apparently smoking vapes laced with spice.
The “frightening” incident happened at Wood Green Academy in Wednesbury, West Midlands on April 30, sparking concerns over the “worrying rise” in the number of cases sweeping the country.
An email sent to parents from headteacher, Mr J Topham and seen by the Daily Star said: “You may be aware of an incident today (April 30) where we had to call ambulances for three of our students. The three students were taken to hospital after taking, what we believe to be THC laced with spice via a vape.
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“Spice can have serious effects on young people. While synthetic cannabnoids can cause effects similar to cannabis, such as relaxation or euphoria, they can be a lot more potent and so, much more likely to cause unpleasant and harmful effects.
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“There is a risk that they could over stimulate the serotonin system…which can result in high fever, rapid pulse, sweating, agitation, confusion and less commonly, convulsions, organ failure and coma.
“Synthetic cannabinoids have also been mentioned as a factor in some deaths. I would like to stress that this is rare but still a risk.”
It goes on to say: “We are very aware that what was witnessed by some students today would have been frightening. The students concerned were given first aid immediately and paramedics attended quickly.”
According to drug website, Talk to Frank, THC – the part of the cannabis plant that makes people feel high – can cause problems with mental health and vaping can make the effects more “unpredictable.”
That’s because it may be stronger than expected, or it may contain something much more harmful than THC like synthetic cannabinoids.
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“The effects can be unpleasant or even dangerous, especially when people have a few puffs quickly before they know how strong it is or what effect it’s having on them,” the website states.
The school email adds: “Unfortunately, schools nationwide and within Sandwell are seeing an increasing number of their students affected by such vapes, and therefore we urge you to check your child’s bags and possessions to actively support us in educating children against the use of vapes.”
The headteacher says the school wants to work with police to “combat this growing concern across the borough” and any student found in possession of a vape from now on will be immediately suspended for five days.
“We do not want any more of our students to experience what happened today,” he adds.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received three separate calls to Wood Green Road Academy in Wednesbury on April 30 at 8.54am, 1.35pm and 1.39pm.
“Three ambulances attended across the course of the day. On each occasion we treated a teenage male before all three were taken to Walsall Manor Hospital.”
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