Children as young as 13 are being exposed to dangerous “zombie drug vapes”—vapes secretly mixed with the synthetic drug spice. This alarming trend is leaving parents and schools searching for answers and, more importantly, ways to keep young people safe. How is this happening, and what can be done to help children avoid the shadowy world of spice-laced vaping?

What Is the “Zombie Drug” Spice and Why Is It Turning Up in Vapes?

The term “zombie drug” refers to “spice”, a synthetic drug originally created to imitate cannabis. Unlike cannabis, spice can be unpredictable and much more dangerous. Side effects include psychosis, breathing difficulties, vomiting, and seizures. The drug got its nickname because some users have been seen in public, frozen or passed out, unable to respond to the world around them.

Today, police and health experts are increasingly finding spice hidden in vape liquids used by children. These “zombie drug vapes” are often sold as cannabis oil, so young people often don’t know what they’re actually inhaling.

How Are Children Vaping Spice Without Knowing?

Unregulated Vape Liquids Are a Doorway

Most cases involve reusable vape devices, which are easy to refill with homemade or illegal vape liquid mixes. Dealers or other individuals simply dissolve spice into the liquid, then sell or share the refilled vapes in person or online. Disposable vapes are less commonly tampered with, but nothing is impossible.

Real Stories Show the Cost

One heart-breaking example is Polly, a 13-year-old who collapsed at school after using a vape. She needed emergency care and was told by a paramedic not to close her eyes, for fear she might not wake up. Polly and her family later learned her vape was spiked with spice. Sadly, her story is not unique. Other children have suffered seizures, severe disorientation, and even long-term effects after unknowingly vaping spice-laced liquids.

Spice in Vapes Is Widespread and Getting Worse

Police and School Data Reveal the Scale

Police across England and Wales have reported cases involving children as young as 12, often discovered after a child collapsed or was hospitalised. Reports show “zombie drug vapes” are sometimes laced with other dangerous substances, including fentanyl, cocaine, and ketamine—not just spice.

A survey of 4,500 secondary teachers found that nearly one in ten had confiscated illegal vapes in the classroom during the past year. Many teachers described students collapsing at school gates or during lessons, requiring urgent medical attention.

Glenn Potts, a headteacher, spoke of a pupil who collapsed on a bus after using a suspected spice-laced vape. He warned that the risks are rising, and if action is not taken, a tragedy seems likely.

How Are Dealers Getting Zombie Drug Vapes to Children?

The Role of Social Media in Children Vaping Spice

Social media platforms like TikTok and encrypted apps, especially Telegram, are playing a major role. Dealers post short videos advertising supposedly “safe” THC vape liquids, then guide buyers to secret chat groups where illegal sales happen. Undercover reporters, pretending to be 14, were able to buy these vapes within just two hours. Dealers even hide their packages inside toy or clothing parcels.

Expert Warnings About Cheap, Dangerous “THC” Vapes

Experts say many of these vapes are not THC (the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis) at all—instead, they’re spiked with spice, which is cheaper to manufacture and much more harmful. Children may think they are trying cannabis, without realising their vape is much more dangerous.

Testing and Tracing Zombie Drug Vapes

Special Labs Fight the Spread

Labs like the Mandre Lab at Manchester Metropolitan University are now busy helping police and schools test confiscated vape liquids. Scientists test the vapes to identify exactly what substances they contain. When high amounts of spice are found, quick health warnings can be sent to schools and families.

One test in the lab found a vape liquid was a 98% match for a powerful form of spice. However, with so many children using vapes, and organised gangs involved, the problem remains very hard to control.

Why Is Vaping of All Kinds Rising Among Young People?

Flavours and Designs Target Young People

A quarter of 11- to 15-year-olds in the UK have tried vaping, according to NHS figures. Many are drawn in by sweet flavours and colourful packaging. Unlike cigarettes, most vapes don’t give off a strong smell and can be disguised as pens or makeup, making them hard to spot in schools.

Social Media and Peer Pressure Work Together

Social networks and group chats fuel curiosity, with “vape tricks” and product reviews shared daily. Peer pressure and online trends make vaping seem normal or exciting for some teens, increasing risks when hidden dangers like spice are present.

Schools and Parents Struggle to Keep Up With Zombie Drug Vapes

Teachers on the Front Lines

Teachers spend increasing time confiscating suspect vapes and dealing with health emergencies. Schools are pressured to dispose of vapes safely, as poorly made devices can be a fire hazard. They also want better government support, especially as many staff are not trained or equipped to spot the latest threats.

Parents’ Worries Are Growing

For many parents, the biggest fear is not knowing what their child might inhale next. Even the most careful families can be caught off-guard if a young person is tricked into trying a vape offered by a friend or purchased online. Honest conversations and informed guidance are more needed than ever.

What Can Be Done to Help Protect Children from Zombie Drug Vapes?

Cracking Down on Online Dealers

The government can seize drugs at the border and punish illegal sales, but the online and social media nature of zombie drug vapes makes this work much harder. Tighter monitoring and faster lab testing will help, but criminals keep adjusting their methods.

Education as Prevention

Raising awareness among children about what spice is, why it’s dangerous, and how vapes can be tampered with can empower smarter choices. Prevention is about more than banning products or punishing children; it’s about open discussions and building understanding that keeps young people safe from harm.

Source: YouTube