A chilling incident shook the high schools of the Oise region: two students collapsed after consuming PTC, nicknamed “pète ton crâne” (“break your skull”) . A synthetic drug capable of producing immediate effects as violent as they are unpredictable. What could have remained an isolated incident has become a warning of a dangerous trend, which calls for increased vigilance – in the classroom and among teenagers themselves.
What is PTC (or Buddha Blue)?
PTC, or Buddha Blue, is a synthetic cannabinoid, sold as a vaping liquid or powder to be sprinkled over herbal mixtures. Unlike natural cannabis, it contains no THC, but synthetic molecules that mimic its effects – often with alarming potency, sometimes equivalent to 95% concentration of pure THC Journal des Femmes SantéLeMonde de Demain.
Its affordable cost for young people, the discreet aspect of vaping, and its accessibility (mainly online or in the vicinity of schools) have facilitated its spread in high schools and colleges.
Dramatic and dangerous effects
Young users report traumatic experiences: hallucinations, loss of reality, convulsions, malaise, even loss of consciousness. Some even describe extreme anxiety attacks, suicidal ideation, heart or kidney problems, and a very rapid addictive effect.
A recent prevention spot broadcast by the French National Police warns against these particularly dangerous substances, which are consumed discreetly by teenagers.
Indignant or disoriented testimonies
“Within five seconds, I knew something was wrong. I vomited, convulsed… I couldn’t breathe or distinguish what was going on around me.”
– A high school student hospitalized after vaping PTC in her school playground. Such experiences are far from rare. Many young people report a retroactive “bad trip”, with persistent breathlessness and anxiety for several days.
Acting to prevent: schools must intervene
There is an urgent need for action in schools:
- Include prevention courses in middle school on the dangers of vaping, synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic drugs in general.
- Train teachers and parents to recognize signs of intoxication (malaise, confusion, strange behavior).
- Involve young people themselves in participatory awareness-raising actions, so that they can take responsibility and support their peers.
Conclusion: information to protect today and tomorrow
The discomfort felt by these two high-school students after smoking Pète ton crâne should be a trigger: a reason to open a dialogue, to fiercely supervise these dangerous new uses and to reinforce health education from adolescence onwards.
The way forward is clear: information is no longer enough, we need to educate, prevent and involve. And of course, for anyone wishing to free themselves from addiction – whether to tobacco, vaping or other substances – our auricular reflexology method, developed by MyLaserTabac, offers gentle, natural and effective help.
Together, let’s educate, inform and build a smoke- and drug-free pathway.
