13 Mar 2026
Wiltshire Police are conducting vape testing in response to recent LDIS submissions reporting pupils experiencing adverse reactions following use of a vape in a Wiltshire school that contained significant amounts of THC and Spice.
Tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC, is the main psychoactive compound found in cannabis (marijuana). It's responsible for the "high" that people experience when they consume marijuana.
THC vapes are often refillable, with a yellow resin or oil that has a typical cannabis smell. We are also aware of rechargeable vape pens, also with the thick yellow resin/oil that may contain THC.
THC vapes are usually highly concentrated and potent; therefore, they have higher incidences of mental and physical health problems and may lead to a higher risk of developing acute adverse effects, such as paranoia, psychosis, and cannabis hyperemesis syndrome.
Some THC vaping products contain vitamin E acetate, an additive that has been known to be harmful to the lungs. Vaping vitamin E acetate can cause an ‘e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury’ also known as EVALI.
The symptoms of EVALI are like other lung problems, including:
Shortness of breath.
Fever and chills.
Vomiting.
Diarrhoea.
Headache.
Dizziness.
Rapid heart rate.
Chest pain.
The risk of EVALI is higher when vaping counterfeit THC products which can contain other chemicals such as pesticides, fungicides, opioids, poisons and heavy metals. Therefore, it is important that you only buy vaping products from sources you trust.
Spice is a generic name used to describe a group of drugs that contain synthetic cannabinoids. Spice was designed to mimic the effects of cannabis, but it can be anywhere from 5 to 100 times more potent than the chemical (known as THC) found in natural cannabis. This makes it a lot more harmful.
Vape liquid contaminated with spice is often a coloured liquid (red, green, blue, purple or pink). They can be of many different brands or be unlabelled. They are more likely to be a liquid added to a refillable vape rather than a disposable device.
Spice can cause your mood and perception to change, leading many users to become extremely confused or paranoid. Some become violent or self-harm while intoxicated. Other reactions include hallucinations, panic attacks, psychotic episodes, and death. Because spice is much stronger than natural cannabis, it is easier to experience its unpleasant and harmful effects.
Some more effects of Spice include:
Anxiety attacks.
Paranoia and delusions.
Seizures.
Confusion.
Violent behaviour.
Memory impairment.
Suicidal thoughts.
Poor coordination.
Insomnia and extreme fatigue.
Rapid heart rate.
High blood pressure.
Risk of death.
Kidney problems.
Nausea and/or vomiting.
Diarrhoea.
Mixing spice and alcohol can be very dangerous and lead to a greater risk of death from overdose or alcohol poisoning.
Young people and adults using vapes of unknown origin may be unaware they contain controlled or high-risk substances.
We encourage all services engaging with individuals who vape to:
Discuss the risks of using unregulated or informal vape products.
Promote sticking to legal, labelled nicotine vapes purchased from reputable retailers, when being used as a stop smoking aid.
Encourage individuals to avoid sharing devices, as contents may differ even when packaging appears similar.
Highlight that synthetic cannabinoids (“spice”) are not always detectable by sight, smell or taste, so users may be unaware of exposure.
Share this alert with those who might use similar substances or work with those who do, and encourage them to seek help and advice. Ensure those who need to be are aware of the signs of overdose and the appropriate emergency response, including the use of naloxone where indicated. Report any unusual drug-related presentations or adverse reactions through local reporting channels. Stay alert and share this information.
Raising awareness can prevent harm and save lives.
