Child treated for overdose as vapes spiked with nitazenes

Mr Adams said the problem was not confined to Teesside, but was happening in “cities and towns around the country”.

Health officials are now writing to families urging them to recognise the signs of illegal vapes as children across the country are targeted with devices laced with deadly drugs.

“They often look similar to legal devices,” Mr Adams said.

“But the fact they hold more puffs or a greater amount of vaping liquid is a tell-tale sign they’re not safe or legal.

“We simply do not know what these devices are being filled with, and neither does your child.

“But what we do know is that young people across the UK have been falling seriously ill after inhaling drugs like Spice and nitazenes, a synthetic drug similar to heroin, but many times more potent.”