Devon & Cornwall Police News site

It’s concerning that Devon & Cornwall Police is seeing an increase in young people purchasing illegal vapes that contain drugs, and often using them before attending school or college.

In a bid to safeguard young people, police in Plymouth recently visited a local college with passive drugs sniffer dog, ‘Skye’. Students had a chance see the dog in action, and chat with officers after listening to an informed presentation about the consequences of consuming illegal substances. No illegal substances were found during the visit.

Police Constable Sara Millett, Beat Manager for the neighbourhood police officer team in Devonport, said: “It’s so important that we reach out to the young people in our communities, to share with them the risks to their health of using illegal substances, and to also raise awareness of the long-term consequences it can have on their futures.”

“It is against the law to possess illegal drugs, or a vape that contains drugs. Young people found in possession of these can be arrested and receive a criminal record, and the impact it can have on the chances of young people getting their dream job or going to university is huge; using them is just not worth it.

“However, we do always try and look at how we can deter them from using drugs in the first instance. We don’t want to convict a young person if we can help it, it all depends on the circumstances and if they’ve had previous encounters with the police for drug offences.”

Police have found that the liquid contained within some vapes is being removed and replaced with an illegal vape liquid that can contain Class B drugs THC (active compound in cannabis) and spice (a synthetic cannabinoid).

PC Millet added: “We simply don’t know the extent of what these illegal vapes contain, or the amount of drugs they may have in them. In other parts of the country, the use of illegal vapes has led to young people ending up in hospital – so, we know that taking these substances can have serious impacts on health.

“The amount of illegal drugs contained within them can also differ from vape to vape, which means that young people who may have used one before and had no adverse reaction, may have a different reaction if they were to use another vape containing drugs.”

Inspector Paul Laity, who heads up the neighbourhood police teams in Devonport, said: “Taking passive drugs dogs along to schools and colleges is a great way to engage with young people – we tend to find they respond well to seeing the dogs in action. It’s usually very effective in deterring students from using these illegal vapes and drugs – it shows we are taking this very seriously and are actively trying to find and seize these items. It also highlights that we will be taking action if young people are found in possession of these items.

“We’re here to protect everyone in our communities, and education and prevention is one of the most effective ways of doing this. As a message to parents and guardians, please work with us to keep your children safe by making sure you know what they are using and that they understand the dangers surrounding these illegal substances. Be inquisitive and question where, if any, they are getting substances from.”

This activity forms part of the Plymouth police teams’ proactive action to combat the use of these illegal substances. Other action that has taken place includes an operation alongside Trading Standards to target shops selling vapes to people under the age of 18, and a number of assemblies to children aged 13-16 years old.

If you would like advice or help for teenagers using drugs or vapes containing drugs, or you are a young person needing advice about vaping or drugs, please get into contact with your GP or school and college staff. The NHS website also contains useful information for young people and parents and guardians.

To report illegal activity or to log non-urgent crimes happening in your area, please visit our website or call 101. If you would like to report crimes anonymously please visit Crimestoppers. For all emergencies call 999.