Several teenagers in Stockholm have been hospitalized after drinking illegal 'bootleg spirits' obtained via social media. Doctors assess that they will recover, but warn of the dangers of such products. Police have detained five people suspected of illegal sales.
Over the weekend, two teenage girls were rushed unconscious to hospitals in Stockholm after drinking spirits from a so-called 'vodka car.' Several other teenagers sought medical care due to poisoning. The spirits, sold illegally via social media, were imported and contained isopropanol, a substance used in disinfectants and windshield washer fluid.
Doctor Erik Lindeman at the Poison Information Center advised emergency rooms during the weekend. 'I am relieved that it is the least dangerous industrial spirit they have ingested, but at the same time concerned that such dangerous products have been handled to young people,' he says. Lindeman expresses worry about future incidents: 'But what says that it won't be the really life-threatening alcohol, like wood spirit and coolant, next time in that trunk?'
By Sunday, all poisoned teenagers had been discharged from hospitals, according to operations manager Johan Franck. Police have detained five people suspected of illegal sales. According to a 2022 CAN report, 16 percent of youths have bought alcohol from so-called bucket accounts online, a phenomenon described as typical for big cities by Sara Kristensson at CAN: 'It is a big city phenomenon.'
The incident highlights the risks of illegal alcohol trade targeting youth via platforms like Snapchat.