S1E54: Kpod vapes, zombie kids: Why it’s time to raise the alarm

Kpods, a street term for drug-laced e-vaporisers, has been much-talked about this week. 

Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests.

Videos of vape users taken by the public have been surfacing online – in particular, of younger people – turning into “zombies” and behaving erratically after using etomidate-laced vapes.

An anaesthetic used in hospitals during medical procedures, etomidate is classified as a poison, which can only be used by licensed medical professionals. 

In this episode of The Usual Place podcast, I spoke with my colleague and crime reporter Nadine Chua; Yio Chu Kang SMC MP Yip Hon Weng, who has raised multiple questions in Parliament on vaping over the past few years; and executive director of youth mental health charity Impart, Narasimman Tivasiha Mani, who has encountered teens using Kpods.

Highlights (click/tap above):

5:37 You don’t need to tell sellers your age, you just need money, notes Mr Narasimman

6:37 Vape sellers market the devices to look trendy or innocuous

14:01 “If he continues down this path, it’s like he’s gone anyway.”: Ms Chua on how a mother shared about her struggle with her son who is hooked on Kpods

14:54 The roles – and limitations – of different government agencies such as the Central Narcotics Bureau and Health Sciences Authority

27:36 What could happen in the long run if we fail to act on Kpods today?

Read ST's coverage on the invisible vaping crisis: https://str.sg/JpFev

Read Nadine Chua's articles: https://str.sg/3z8M3

Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg)

Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://www.instagram.com/theusualplacepodcast

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by: Studio+65

Edited by: Teo Tong Kai, Eden Soh & Natasha Liew

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

Helplines: Mental well-being

• National helpline: 1771 (24 hours) / 6669-1771 (via WhatsApp)

• Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)

• Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

• Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928

• Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1

• Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)

• The Seniors Helpline: 1800-555-5555 (weekdays, 9am to 5pm)

Counselling

• Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252

• Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555

• Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366

• We Care Community Services: 3165-8017

• Shan You Counselling Centre: 6741-9293

• Clarity Singapore: 6757-7990

Online resources

• mindline.sg/fsmh

• eC2.sg

• tinklefriend.sg

• chat.mentalhealth.sg

• carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)

• limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)

• shanyou.org.sg

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