More than a dozen children collapse after vaping fake cannabis oil laced with ‘spice’

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy More than a dozen children in Greater Manchester have collapsed after vaping fake cannabis oil which contained the dangerous synthetic drug spice. The bottles were supposed to contain cannabis oil or THC, the chemical that causes a high, but were fake and had been mis-sold with some of them containing the high strength drug spice. “The effects of the drug for someone not used to taking spice are very dangerous, unpredictable, and may even be fatal.” Schools, youth services and professionals who work with children across Greater Manchester have been asked to report any more suspected cases. Bev Hughes, deputy mayor for policing and crime, said the incidents were worrying, and added: “It’s vital that the word is spread that these are fake and dangerous products that can and have caused serious harm.” Greater Manchester Police’s chief superintendent Paul Savill said: “Suppliers of illegal and dangerous vaping products are recklessly targeting children and the vulnerable, and we need the public’s help to identify these suppliers and bring them to justice.” Anyone with information about the sale of illegal vaping products or other drugs can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.