Researchers at the University of Bristol and University of Bath are looking for 6 school staff who work with young people who vape.
We want to hear your opinions about a recent research finding that many e-cigarettes confiscated in schools contain a drug commonly known as ‘Spice’. We want to know what you think needs to be done in response to this finding.
When: Thursday 5th December from 5pm-6pm
Where: Online
Please contact pp15091@bristol.ac.uk for more information. We will provide participants with a £25 Amazon voucher to thank you for your time.
We would like to invite you to take part in a research advisory meeting on reducing harm associated with synthetic cannabinoids in youth vapes. In this information sheet we include details about the meeting to help you decide whether you would like to take part.
What is the meeting about?
There have been increasing media reports of children collapsing in schools after vaping. In response, researchers at the University of Bath and University of Bristol tested vapes routinely confiscated in schools across England. They found that approximately one in six vapes contained high-risk synthetic cannabinoid (SC) drugs commonly known as ‘Spice’. SC vapes were identified in over three quarters of the schools sampled. SCs are an illicit substance associated with drug dependence, severe side effects that can require emergency hospital admission, and almost a half of unnatural deaths in prisons. It is thought that vapes containing SCs may be being mis-sold as cannabis, and young people may be unaware of their contents. These research findings received national media attention and there is now a high level of concern about this issue.
We are planning a series of meetings in which we invite young people, school staff, parents and drug treatment service staff to act as research advisors. We want to find out their opinions on these research findings and what they think should be done in response. In this meeting we want to hear the views of school staff.
When and where will it take place?
Online on Thursday 21st November from 5pm-6pm
What will happen in the meeting?
You will be joined by up to five other school staff. The researchers will ask open questions about the recent research findings and possible next steps. Everyone in the group can respond and share their ideas. You will not be asked about personal experiences. We request that you do not share the contents of the meeting outside of the meeting. You are free to stop participating at any time without providing a reason. One of the researchers will take anonymised notes during the session.
What will be the outcome of the meeting?
Your thoughts and ideas will contribute to the development of further research and interventions to reduce harm amongst young people who vape SCs and other illicit substances.
Will I be reimbursed for my time?
At the end of the meeting, we will provide you with a £25 Amazon voucher to thank you for your time.
Research collaborators: Dr Prianka Padmanathan (University of Bristol), Dr Jenny Scott (University of Bristol), Dr Tom Freeman (University of Bath), Dr Jack Spicer (University of Bath), Dr Peter Sunderland (University of Bath), Prof Stephen Husbands (University of Bath), Prof Chris Pudney (University of Bath)
Funding: Bristol Biomedical Research Centre grant held by Dr Padmanathan.
Contact: For further information about the study or to request to take part please contact prianka.padmanathan@bristol.ac.uk