Spice Vape Guidance for Foster Carers
A study by the University of Bath tested nearly 2,000 confiscated vape liquids from 114 secondary schools across England, discovering that 13% contained the synthetic drug spice, a far higher figure than the casually reported “over 10%”.
These vape liquids are often brightly coloured and are misleadingly advertised on social media (TikTok, Facebook, Instagram) as containing THC, the psychoactive compound of cannabis. In reality, many contain spice instead.
Why This Is Particularly Dangerous for Young People?
Spice is cheap, potent, and highly addictive, far cheaper to manufacture than a real THC vape (around £5 versus £60 for a legitimate THC vape.)
The drug’s strength and addictive nature raise serious concerns. As Professor Chris Pudney highlights, use of spice may increase risks of coercion, abuse, or involvement in criminal activity, placing vulnerable youth in deeply unsafe situations.
Schools and charities are reporting a concerning rise in hospitalisations of children after inhaling spice-tainted vapes.
A distressing personal account comes from a parent who shared that bullies forced a spice-laced vape into her teenage son’s mouth, causing him to collapse, hallucinate, and suffer lasting anxiety; he hasn’t returned to school in over a year.
Child protection and drug education charities, like the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation, consider spice in schools a “new and emerging threat” deserving close attention.
Health Risks: Immediate and Severe
The Independent reports that spice can lead to:
- Breathing difficulties
- Heart attacks
- Seizures
- Additional reactions such as dizziness, vomiting, racing heart, sweating, anxiety and paranoia
Schools are monitoring an uptick in serious incidents, including pupils collapsing or appearing to be having fits, prompting police to deploy rapid-testing devices to detect contaminated vapes.
Why Foster Carers Should Be Particularly Vigilant
Children in foster care often face greater vulnerabilities, including trauma, inconsistent support systems, or history of abuse, which may heighten the appeal or danger of experimenting with such drugs.
Key Reasons to Stay Alert
- Peer pressure: spice vapes may be passed off as harmless cannabis alternatives.
- Accessibility: their low price and wide advertising on social media, make them easy to obtain.
- Health dangers: the severe and unpredictable reactions can pose serious threats.
Practical Guidance for Foster Carers
- Open Conversations
- Discuss vaping and its hidden risks openly and honestly
- Explain how products labelled as “THC” might actually contain spice
- Encourage transparency, you need to know what they’re using, and they need to know you’re there to help, not punish
Watch for Warning Signs
Be alert to symptoms like sudden collapse, confusion, hallucinations, vomiting, chest pain, or excessive anxiety.
Reach out for medical help immediately if any of these occur.
Engage with Schools
Speak with children’s schools about concerns; understand policies, detection procedures (like vape alarms), and support systems.
Ensure the school communicates with you if there’s suspicion of substance use.
Summary for Foster Carers
| Issue | Key Insight |
| Prevalence | 13% of school-vaped liquids contain spice. |
| Advertisement | Often sold online (social media) as THC but contains spice instead. |
| Health Risks | Can cause seizures, heart issues, vomiting, etc. |
| Broader Impacts | Addiction, coercion, long-term mental health harm. |
| Why You Matter | Children looked after may be more vulnerable to risk. |
| What You Can Do | Educate, monitor, communicate, secure, support. |
Final Note
As a foster carer, your ability to understand this threat and act can make a lifesaving difference. Keep communication open, stay informed, and collaborate closely with schools and health professionals. If you’d like, we can help you locate UK-based support resources or training for better safeguarding, just contact any of the Lorimer staff.
Take care, and thanks, as always, for all you do.