flavored drugs new threat to children

Flavored Drugs New Threat To Children

Drugs Dealers Getting Bold To Attract New "Customers"

LABELLE, FL. -- Candy-flavored meth, marijuana gumballs and other

threats could endanger elementary, and middle schools warn law

enforcement officials. Attorney General Bill McColluum and the Florida

Association of School Resource Officers this week issued a consumer

advisory warning parents, teachers and school administrators of an

alarming trend with dangerous implications for Florida school

children.

Federal and state law enforcement agencies are reporting that flavored

drugs, particularly methamphetamines, heroin and marijuana, are

circulating throughout the United States, often enticing younger

children. These drugs could be ingested by unsuspecting children and

are extremely harmful, say authorities.

The flavoring reduces the bitter taste of the drug and does not affect

the potency of the drug. Children may mistake the drug for candy pop

rocks.

Additional reports of gumballs filled with marijuana and narcotics

packaged or disguised as candy or other more enticing objects have

raised concern from Florida law enforcement and should be considered

serious threats by parents, teachers and school administrators.

Children should be advised not to accept any candy which may resemble

one of these new drug forms and should turn over any in their

possession to their teacher, principal, or school resource officer.

Parents should encourage their children to avoid any participation in

distributing or using the drugs, no matter how harmless they may seem,

and report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities or a

trusted adult.