Parents of pupils at a Lanarkshire secondary school have been left horrified after learning that vapes filled with illegal substances are doing the rounds.
In an email issued from Hamilton Grammar School on Wednesday, it states that vapes containing the extremely dangerous ‘Spice’ and ‘THC’ are being sold in the local community.
The school believe they are being purchased via online platforms and warn that police charges will be brought should pupils be found in possession of them.
The email read: "It has been brought to our attention that vapes containing the illegal substances of ‘Spice’ and ‘THC’ are being sold in the local community.
"We believe these are being purchased via Ebay and Instagram. These substances are extremely dangerous and can cause serious illness. Their illegal status would also mean police charges if found in possession.
"The substances are used in chargeable vapes and are not the more widely available disposable ‘fruit’ or flavoured vapes. They have no distinctive aroma, making it harder to identify.
"We are asking parents/carers to please be vigilant regarding the use of vapes and support us in emphasising the risks involved.
"This message will be reinforced through PSHE lessons in school. If your son/daughter becomes unwell after vaping, please seek urgent medical attention.
"The use of vapes is illegal for young people under the age of 18. Pupils found in possession of vapes in school will be referred to our Campus Police Officer.
"Thanks for your support with this important issue."
Parents reacted with huge concern on social media after receiving the warning from the school with one worried mum saying: "I hope this is just a precautionary warning email and they haven’t actually found anyone using this at the school!"
Another said: "That's really scary! Let's hope the schools will be vigilant here."
Police Scotland say they will now work with their "education partners" to address the concerns, and are assuring parents there has been no recorded incidents of such vapes found in any school across the county.
Insp. Paul Doyle told Lanarkshire Live: “We have been made aware of a letter which has been circulated raising concerns about school children using vape products containing a number of illegal substances.
“This warning was issued without police involvement and we will be engaging with our education partners to address their concerns.
“Enquiries are being carried out into one incident where a youth took ill after using a vape product, however, we would like to reassure the public that there have been no recorded incidents of these illegal substances being found in the possession of school pupils, nor is there any information to suggest they are a problem across the wider community.”
Stewart Nicolson, Head of Education at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “The school has written to its own parents and carers to make them aware about concerns about the potential availability of these products.
“However, there is no suggestion that these products have been in use in the school and Police Scotland have confirmed that it is not an issue locally.
“We will continue to liaise with Police Scotland and would anticipate that any general warnings of this nature, on any subject, would be issued by them.”
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