A BBC investigation has exposed how drug dealers are exploiting Snapchat to sell vape liquids laced with the synthetic drug spice to teenagers, with transactions as simple as ordering food online. This revelation highlights a growing public health crisis where minors are easily accessing dangerous substances through social media platforms.
Undercover journalists from the BBC posed as schoolgirls and contacted dealers on Snapchat, arranging meetings in public places like a Warwickshire housing estate. The dealers, operating anonymously, provided menus and prices for vape liquids claimed to contain THC, but independent testing later confirmed the presence of spice, a potent synthetic cannabinoid. The entire process, from messaging to delivery, was described as effortless and reminiscent of everyday online purchases.
Spice is known to be highly addictive and can cause severe health issues, including psychosis, seizures, and in some cases, hospitalization. Teenagers as young as 13 have been affected, with parents reporting that their children became addicted after initially believing they were vaping THC. One mother shared her fear of finding her daughter dead due to the drug’s intense effects, while another described withdrawal symptoms that made her child feel like she was “dying.”
The investigation was prompted by concerns from parents who had reached out to police a year earlier, yet the dealers remained active. Snapchat has responded by stating that using its platform for drug sales is strictly against its rules, and it employs technologies to proactively find and shut down such accounts. In the past year, the platform removed over 2.4 million drug-related posts and disabled 516,000 accounts.
Law enforcement agencies, including Warwickshire Police, are investigating the issue and working with partners to gather evidence. However, the anonymous nature of online transactions poses challenges for tracking and prosecuting dealers. Broader studies, as reported by other news outlets, indicate that up to 13% of vape liquids seized from secondary schools in England contain spice, underscoring the scale of the problem.
This situation calls for coordinated efforts from tech companies, authorities, and communities to enhance protections for youth. Parents and educators are urged to be vigilant about children’s online activities, while policymakers may need to consider stricter regulations on social media platforms to prevent their misuse for illegal drug sales. The ease of access via apps like Snapchat represents a significant threat that requires immediate and sustained action to safeguard vulnerable populations.