Warnings Issued Over New Form of Crystalized Methamphetamine

(SALEM, Ore.) - Parents are advised to be on the lookout for a new form of crystalized methamphetamine that is targeted at children. Emergency responders around the nation are also being told to be aware of this new form of meth if called to an emergency involving a child that may have symptoms of drug induction or overdose.

This new form of meth is called "Strawberry Quick" and it looks like the "Pop Rocks" candy that sizzle in your mouth. In its current form, it is dark pink in color and has a strawberry scent.

It may sound like an old story, but parents should remind kids not to accept candy from strangers as this is obviously an attempt to seduce children into drug use. They also need to be cautious in accepting candy from even friends that may have received it from someone else, thinking it is just candy.

A group called hoax-slayer.com confirms that the information about the new drug is factual.

"Emails advising recipients about 'Strawberry Quick', a form of pink, strawberry scented methamphetamine began hitting inboxes in April 2007. The messages warn that unsuspecting children may be more willing to try the drug or take a dose by accident because it looks and smells like candy.

This new form of methamphetamine is real. According to an Associated Press article published on the KSTP-TV website, "Strawberry Quick" came to the attention of drug enforcement agents after the Nevada Department of Public Safety released a bulletin about the substance in January 2007. Since then, agents have heard reports about flavored meth in several other states.

Children and adolescents are certainly likely to be more susceptible to this comparatively attractive form of the drug. That said, dealers might not be targeting "Strawberry Quick" only at youngsters. Meth has a harsh, chemical taste so making the drug more palatable by adding favoring may help dealers market it to both young and older users. Moreover, applying a catchy name may make the drug seem a little less dangerous to potential new users. The name may remind potential users of "Quik", a harmless and much-loved powder used to flavor milk.

Strawberry is not the only flavor used by meth dealers. According to a USA Today article, chocolate, cola and other flavors have also been reported, including one marketed as a powdered energy drink that was red in color. Just like legitimate companies, illicit drug dealers try to market their products by making them visually attractive, better tasting or in some way unique.

Any marketing technique that makes dangerous drugs like methamphetamine seem more attractive to children is especially worrying. In the US, Senators Dianne Feinstein and Chuck Grassley have responded by introducing legislation that will "increase the federal criminal penalties for drug dealers who entice children with candy-flavored methamphetamine and other flavored drugs".

This article originates from a MySpace bulletin posted August 7th by a member who is also an Emergency Services Technician. It is a good example of one of the many useful sides of MySpace, a social networking site on the Web that normally receives little good media coverage.

Special thanks to Becky Winters for bringing this information to Salem-News.com via MySpace.

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Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Brian November 27, 2007 6:47 am (Pacific time)

This is a HOAX! Go to www.hoaxslayer.com It is partly true but look at the bottom where it says that this is not true. Meth is bad but show where this is true. Police reports hospitals etc. ???

George Washington Carter August 15, 2007 5:29 pm (Pacific time)

If anyone has ever observed the degradation of a person's teeth and looks after going on meth, is probably the best deterrent against this mindless and dangerous drug. In high school, they showed us a film on the effects of smoking...by slicing up a healthy vs. diseased (smokers) lungs. Yukk. That was enough to convince me not to smoke!

Luciano Colonna August 9, 2007 4:38 pm (Pacific time)

I have put on two National conferences on Methamphetamine, HIV, and Hepatitis, I operate drop-in centers for drug users in two states, and have been working in the field of addiction for over 15 years. Methamphetamine is not being flavored, it is being "cut" or mixed with strawberry and chocolate flavored product to increase it's weight. - Does that make it any less of a bad drug? No. - Does that mean that I am pro-meth for saying this? Of course not. - Does this mean that meth dealers are should baby sit your children? What do you think? Facts are facts. Information is good. If you want your children to take you seriously - take drugs seriously and don't shoot the messenger just because he or she just has an opinion that differs from yours. For more information on meth - visit - www.harmredux.org

red dog August 9, 2007 4:23 pm (Pacific time)

there has been no verified strawberry meth found anywhere by dea or anyone else-this is hysterical and overshadows the very serious real problems of meth-

Tim King August 9, 2007 3:50 pm (Pacific time)

In the 1970's and 80's cocaine was a widely popular drug that was consumed by millions. If anyone has used cocaine they know that there is a "numb gum" effect and it is pleasant for the user. Meth or "crank" users today may not recall that time, but I think the "numb gum" thing carries over because most meth users have also used cocaine. My first thought on this story was that connection.

Luciano Colonna August 9, 2007 3:25 pm (Pacific time)

'Flavored Meth' Even Make Sense? June 22, 2007 Email Email Print SubscribeSubscribe News Feature By Bob Curley At first blush, the idea of adding flavoring to methamphetamine to make the drug more appealing to young users seems to be plausible. "The traffickers know the word is out about what a horrible drug this is," deputy drug czar Scott Burns told USA Today on March 25. "They are having a tough time selling this product, especially to young people. What do people in marketing do when they have a tough time selling a product? They have to come up with some sort of gimmick." But Tom McNamara of the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force Group says that Burns' premise is flawed. "The Mexicans are selling all the meth they can make," he tells Join Together. "Why would they need to flavor it? ... The drug is used for its effect, not its flavor." An estimated 80 percent of meth users either snort or inject the drug, although some novice users eat the drug. "The only way you can appreciate something that tastes good is to eat it," said McNamara, "and that's not the preferred way to use meth. There's no way you're going to get as high as you would by snorting it or shooting it up." Jeanne Cox, executive director of the Meth Project Foundation, is more willing to accept the flavored meth story. "I wouldn't put anything past these dealers and cartels," she said. "On the face of it, it seems very logical ... It's not an outlandish thing." Austin, Texas resident Micah Burns, a former meth addict, dealer and cook who is currently in treatment and works as a consultant for a drug-testing firm, agrees that the idea of dealers marketing to kids "definitely makes sense," citing the so-called "cheese heroin" being sold in Dallas as an example. "Some people have the mindset when they're dealing that it's all about the money," he told Join Together. "If you get them hooked at a young age then you have more time to get money from them." Micah Burns added that while he personally didn't mind the taste of meth, others found it bitter. Adding flavoring wouldn't make any difference to users who snort the drug -- "you don't taste it because it burns like all-get-out," he said -- but might be appealing to the minority of users who eat the drug. However, the former meth-lab operator and chemistry expert questions whether meth could really be mixed with Strawberry Quik drink mix or other sweet substances. "I don't think that's correct, because the sugar group would break down the methyl group" during cooking, ruining the batch, he said. Please go here to vist the website: http://www.jointogether.org/news/features/2007/does-flavored-meth-make.html

Tim King August 9, 2007 3:00 pm (Pacific time)

I can't believe any of you are concerned that this is not targeted toward kids in some way. We are a mainstream news group that works tirelessly to promote a clear understanding of medical marijuana.

Blueberry bud is a slightly different strain of marijuana that happens to resemble blueberries in flavor, I understand that sometimes growers use things to bring this about. Compare this to a powder that is bright pink and has the scent of fruit, what?

Why does this bother anybody? I have no doubt at all that only a meth user would be disturbed by a warning about such a vile drug. So take your draino based powder and rip off your families and keep everybody confused if you have to, but your comments resemble meth advocacy and you need to grow up.

Anonymous August 9, 2007 2:47 pm (Pacific time)

So do you suppose flavored strains of marijuana such as blueberry and strawberry cough are aimed at children as well?

Luciano Colonna August 9, 2007 12:58 pm (Pacific time)

National news reports have highlighted concerns about drug dealers adding kid-friendly flavorings to methamphetamine, but actual incident reports about such concoctions have been sketchy, at best. The Emporia (Kan.) Gazette reported May 18 that reports of so-called "strawberry" meth originated in Carson City, Nev., where a police informant purchased pink meth from a dealer. "He purchased it. He brought it back to us and said the guy called it 'strawberry meth,'" said Sgt. Darrin Sloan of the city's Special Enforcement Team. "When I looked at it, I'd never seen anything like it. I don't know how they did it ... My own thoughts were, once this hits the streets, it's just more attractive to the kids." However, that was the only case of colored meth reported in Carson City. The report led to the Nevada Department of Public Safety issuing a statewide warning, which in turn was circulated nationally via e-mail. Reports of flavored meth then surfaced in Arkansas. But officials there later said that police who raided a meth lab only found packages of strawberry flavored drink mix in the trash. "What we're telling everybody is that this is not a problem in our area yet," said Chris Harrison of the Arkansas Crime Laboratory. "It has not been seen enough to really be considered any kind of trend. We just have some anecdotal evidence that it might be coming into Arkansas." "Drug dealers have consistently marketed their drugs any way they can, using flavorings and colors, different kinds of candies, ever since they've been selling drugs" Harrison added. "People think they're getting something new and they'll maybe be more likely to buy it from you rather than someone else." But Harrison added, "We've had a couple of colored drugs but nothing that really seems to be flavored."

Brenda August 8, 2007 9:28 pm (Pacific time)

A comment from a person named Brenda was deleted because it was ignorant and needless. Be careful about any parties that try to suggest that flavoring meth like strawberries is not an act intended to draw in children. The comment mentioned that this was not the first time the story was published, so what? Information like this is important. Sorry Brenda, you can take your thinly veiled advocacy for meth and find a different news site to bother.

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Warnings Issued Over New Form of Crystalized Methamphetamine

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