'Zombie' drug found in cannabis THC vapes in UK
- UK experts are sounding the alarm that people who use THC cannabis vapes might be inhaling a very dangerous chemical known as xylazine, which they found in some confiscated products.
- This drug, often called a "zombie" drug, is typically used to sedate large animals like cows and horses and can be deadly for humans.
Finding it in "even a few" illegal e-cigarettes, which many people assume are fairly safe, is concerning, the experts note. This poses a risk not only to those individuals but also to those who inject or use potent narcotics.
Until now, the illicit global trade of xylazine has primarily involved its combination with powerful opioid 'Zombie' drugs, such as heroin or fentanyl.
'Zombie' drug xylazine found in cannabis THC vapes in UK https://t.co/1uvsgOMd2t
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) April 9, 2024
Source: Twitter/BBC News
At least one death in the UK has been linked to xylazine, and there's concern that its misuse could increase, mirroring trends in the US. Dr. Caroline Copeland and her team from King's College London have identified new forms of illicit xylazine products entering the UK market.
Their investigation uncovered that, in addition to dangerous vapes, tablets being marketed as codeine and diazepam, or Valium, also contained xylazine.
Last year, the researchers reached out to all UK toxicology labs to compile evidence and examined 'Zombie' drug-test results from seizures by law enforcement.
Their findings, published in the journal Addiction, revealed a small but alarming presence of xylazine in only two THC vape products and a few illegally sold pills among tens of thousands of items tested. Despite the low numbers, the discovery is highly alarming to the experts.
What are cannabis vapes?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, and THC vapes are prohibited in the UK. Cannabidiol (CBD), another compound found in cannabis, doesn't produce a high and thus, CBD oil, even in vape form, is legally sold in the UK.
Dr. Copeland explained to BBC News that people might not know what they're actually buying.
They think they're buying a THC vape, but it could have more substances than they expect, which is very concerning.
The UK's drug advisory group recently suggested to the government that xylazine should be classified as a Class C drug.
This would put it in the same category as substances like laughing gas and some steroids, meaning having it could lead to two years in jail, and selling it could lead to 14 years. The risks to health get even worse when it's used with other strong sedatives.
It can cause:
- difficulty breathing
- dangerously low blood pressure
- slowed heart rate
- wounds that can become infected
- addiction and severe withdrawal symptoms
- death
Some young people in the UK have ended up in the hospital because they might have used a vape that was secretly mixed with Spice, an illegal drug.
Professor Sir John Strang, a leading expert in addiction studies at King's College London but not part of the study, mentioned, "We always need to be on the lookout for changes in the illegal drug market because sometimes these changes can lead to new health problems."
A government representative stated, "We know about the dangers of xylazine and are committed to protecting people from this and other illegal synthetic drugs. We're ready to take action to ensure the public's safety. Following recommendations from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), we plan to classify xylazine as a Class C drug."
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