Warnings of an Illegal Methamphetamine Substance Called "Strawberry Quick"-Truth!

Warnings of an Illegal Methamphetamine Substance Called "Strawberry Quick"-Truth!

Summary of the eRumor:
The eRumor warns of a new form of delivering illegal methamphetamine to children by making it into a strawberry flavored crystal or powder.

The Truth:
The eRumor is true and only the latest form in which methamphetamine has been mixed with sweet substances.

An Associated Press story published in newspapers across the U.S. on May 1, 2007 focused on discoveries of what appeared to be a strawberry-flavored children's drink at the scene of an illegal meth lab. It has come to be known as "Strawberry Quick." It has no connection with the popular Nestle QUIK flavored milk products now renamed Nestle Nesquik. Chris Harrison, a chemist at the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, says that meth is bitter to the makers try to take that edge off any way they can and have used lollipops, sodas, candy, and anything else they can to make it easier for first-time users. The article said that the "Strawberry Quick" angle came to light in January when the Nevada Department of Public Safety issued a warning about it.

The Strawberry meth has been reported in several states including Missouri, Washington State, Wisconsin, and Texas, Nevada, and California.

Because of the sweet taste and candy-like appearance there is concern about children coming into contact with it but experts say its not been made that way just for the purpose of introducing it to children. Giving it a sweet taste and a harmless-sounding name is a marketing technique to ease it into the hands of any potential victim.

According to a release from California Senator Dianne Feinstein she has joined with Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa to sponsor a bill in congress that would make it a federal crime to appeal to children with candy-flavored meth or other drugs. Feinstein said that substances like "Strawberry Quick" are "...designed to get people to try it a few times. It's all about hooking young people, and we have to stop this practice before it grows any further."

A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:

This stuff is starting to turn up in Kansas .

I thought it may be a good idea to put out an email so that those with children
can remind them not to take unpackaged candy from anyone in school and of course, those they don't know.

Apparently, this meth is sweet and candy like, similar to pop rock crystals. The letter shows a picture of what is being recovered by agencies.