Mia Williams
Vape spiking cases have soared after kids are reported to be 'hallucinating' and 'dissociating' after falling victim.
The number of children that have been victims of vape-spiking has increased dramatically in the first half of 2024.
A shock investigation has revealed that more than 12 children have been spiked with spice - a seriously dangerous drug which can leave people temporally paralysed.
The study shows that vape spiking incidents have almost reached the levels seen during the entirety of 2023.
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Headteachers have also been coming forward to talk about their students who have fallen ill as a result of having their vape laced with illegal drugs.
The figures, from police in England and Wales, were gathered by The i and reported that there had been 10 cases alone between January and May.
Ben Davis, headteacher at St Ambrose Barlow RC High School in Salford said his school is dealing with children who have fallen victim.
Talking to the Daily Mail, he said: "The children described really odd symptoms; cartoon hands, being dissociated, paranoia, a kind of psychosis.
"The child who hallucinated that his hands had changed said he felt he couldn't control them and they felt like they didn't belong to him."
According to the charity Stamp Out Spiking, signs of vape spiking can include shortness of breath, nausea, coughing, or fatigue shortly after inhaling.
And luckily, there are some small signs that let you know your vape isn't legitimate.
Experts have long warned vape users that fake devices lack key production details, including manufacturing and packing dates, a license number and batch number.
But it's not just spice that the vapes are laced with, other drugs include GHB, ketamine, and rohypnol, as well as types of synthetic cannabis.
Chloe Hammerton, who was 26 at the time of her incident, was at the Isle of Wight festival when she was encouraged to try a man's vape.
She claimed that within a minute of taking a puff she instantly collapsed and lost consciousness.
She also recalled being unable to speak or move any part of her body.
Friends were luckily enough there to get her medical attention, after they reported she also had a fit.
As spiking is not yet a standalone offence, it has been recorded that 97% of spiking incidents are not reported to the police.