Social service agencies see rising trend of Singapore teens using drug-laced vapes
The Straits Times|December 16, 2024
Kpods, or vape juice usually mixed with etomidate, being sold on Telegram; authorities monitoring situation
Elaine Lee

Amirul (not his real name) was offered an e-vaporiser by his friend in September, and took a puff without thinking much about it.

On his friend's urging, the 21-year-old student took another puff, and this time, his body felt heavy and his head began to spin.

While these effects lasted only a minute, he became upset upon learning from his friend that the vape had been laced with drugs.

"I was told that the vape I took was known as a Kpod," he told The Straits Times.

Kpods - vape juice that is usually mixed with etomidate, an anaesthetic used in some non-surgical procedures - are a growing scourge in Singapore, according to some social service agencies here.

They told ST that they have seen an increase in people aged between 12 and 19 discussing and participating in this latest vape trend.

Etomidate is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act, and a licence is needed to import or sell it here.

Checks by ST showed that there were at least six groups selling Kpods on messaging app Telegram, some with hundreds of members. Some groups even offered promises to deliver the products within half an hour.

Some sellers in the Telegram groups claimed they also sell vape liquid with ketamine. Ketamine, which can be used as an anaesthetic in emergency care for pain relief or short surgical procedures, is listed as a Class A controlled drug in Singapore. It is illegal to traffic, make, import, export, possess or consume the drug.

Prices of such drug-laced vapes range from $50 to $100, according to social workers whom ST spoke to, as well as prices listed in the Telegram groups. A normal vape costs between $10 and $70.

When contacted, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said that it, along with the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), is monitoring the trend of using vapes to consume illegal substances, which has also been observed overseas.

Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin December 16, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin December 16, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE STRAITS TIMES DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
4 Things To Know About The Long Fight Against TB
The Straits Times

4 Things To Know About The Long Fight Against TB

Tuberculosis, though curable, is still considered the world's deadliest infectious disease

time-read
6 dak  |
March 19, 2025
What it's like to watch a Metallica concert on Apple Vision Pro
The Straits Times

What it's like to watch a Metallica concert on Apple Vision Pro

For a music fan, nothing beats a live concert.

time-read
2 dak  |
March 19, 2025
Xi will visit US in 'not too distant future', says Trump
The Straits Times

Xi will visit US in 'not too distant future', says Trump

Remarks Come After WSJ Report of Officials Discussing Possible June 'Birthday Summit'

time-read
3 dak  |
March 19, 2025
Philippines demon joins Monster High doll line
The Straits Times

Philippines demon joins Monster High doll line

Toymaker Mattel has Barbie-fied a creature from Philippine folklore that has for centuries inspired terror and loathing among Filipinos for its habit of feeding on the hearts of unborn children: the manananggal.

time-read
2 dak  |
March 19, 2025
Speed up conversion to electric public transport
The Straits Times

Speed up conversion to electric public transport

I am concerned about the slow pace of transitioning public transport vehicles to electric models in Singapore (LTA to add 660 more electric buses to Singapore's public bus fleet by 2027, March 14).

time-read
1 min  |
March 19, 2025
Chinese businessman alleges $74m theft by staff of Singapore-based family office
The Straits Times

Chinese businessman alleges $74m theft by staff of Singapore-based family office

An ultra-high-net-worth Chinese businessman is suing four former employees here for allegedly stealing from his Singapore-based companies, Panda Enterprise and Lee Fung International (LFI), through fraudulent transactions and fabricated claims over the years.

time-read
3 dak  |
March 19, 2025
Ramadan bazaar stallholders undaunted by wet weather forecast
The Straits Times

Ramadan bazaar stallholders undaunted by wet weather forecast

Stallholders at Ramadan bazaars are refusing to have their spirits dampened by the unseasonably wet weather forecast for the next few days, and said they could still depend on online sales if people stayed away.

time-read
3 dak  |
March 19, 2025
Progress Singapore Party set for hotly contested leadership election
The Straits Times

Progress Singapore Party set for hotly contested leadership election

The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) will vote in its top leadership body on March 20, with 24 candidates set to vie for 12 elected seats on the central executive committee (CEC).

time-read
3 dak  |
March 19, 2025
News analysis Fresh strikes on Gaza tied to Netanyahu's plan to retain power
The Straits Times

News analysis Fresh strikes on Gaza tied to Netanyahu's plan to retain power

The longer the offensive goes on, the longer he can avoid blame for security failings

time-read
4 dak  |
March 19, 2025
Young Adults Can Get Tips on Career, Money, Lifestyle on ST's New Microsite
The Straits Times

Young Adults Can Get Tips on Career, Money, Lifestyle on ST's New Microsite

New initiative part of wider effort to engage young readers on topics that matter to them

time-read
2 dak  |
March 19, 2025