HSA raids home of 13-year-old girl behaving erratically outside state courts, catches man who sold her vape
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) was alerted to a girl, 13, behaving erratically while vaping in public outside the state courts on April 24.
She was unsteady in gait and appeared to be oblivious of her surroundings, a sign of possible drug intoxication, said HSA in a news release on May 13.
After identifying her, HSA raided her home and seized one e-vaporiser that was found to contain etomidate.
Etomidate, a medicinal ingredient used in clinical practice as an anaesthetic agent, should only be administered under medical supervision.
Adverse effects of etomidate include nausea and vomiting, uncontrollable movement or spasm of muscles, changes to breathing and blood pressure, seizures and psychosis as well as physical dependence.
HSA has since identified and caught the 25-year-old man who sold the vape to the girl. One e-vaporiser and three pods were seized from the seller and they were also found to contain etomidate.
The girl, the seller and his 26-year-old wife are assisting in the investigation.
The purchase, possession and use of e-vaporisers are prohibited in Singapore under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. Offenders can be fined up to $2,000.
Those found possessing or using pods containing etomidate are also liable upon conviction to a maximum penalty of imprisonment for up to two years and/or fine up to $10,000 under the Poisons Act.
