Pubdate: Fri, 08 Jun 2007
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2007 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact:  http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: Bruce Owen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

POLICE FEAR INFLUX OF SWEET-TASTING METH

Chocolate And Strawberry-Flavoured Drug Found In U.S.

CITY police fear it's only a matter of time before chocolate- and 
strawberry-flavoured methamphetamine hits city streets.

Similar warnings have been made by law enforcement officials 
throughout the United States as the always-changing illegal drug 
market appears to be now targeting young kids.

Winnipeg police spokesperson Const. Jacqueline Chaput said local drug 
investigators attended a recent conference in the U.S. where the 
flavoured methamphetamine was discussed.

"We haven't seen it in Winnipeg yet," she said. "But like everything, 
unfortunately it's only a matter of time before it will make itself up here."

American news reports say the altered drug has appeared in some 
western states, including the Twin Cities. Known as "Strawberry 
Quick," it resembles the popular Pop Rocks candy. In San Francisco, 
police have seen cases in which chocolate-flavoured meth is being 
sold to children.

Some meth cookers are also using peanut butter and popcorn flavouring 
to spice up their potent concoctions.

In response, American lawmakers have sponsored the Saving Kids from 
Dangerous Drugs Act to combat such street drugs aimed at kids. If 
passed, the act would increase federal criminal penalties for drug 
dealers who woo children with candy-flavoured methamphetamine.

U.S. law enforcement is also doing more public education aimed at 
students as young as fifth graders.

Police also say the flavoured meth is just as pure and just as 
dangerous as the normally bitter tasting narcotic, which is snorted, 
smoked or injected.

Most methamphetamine being sold in the U.S. is now made in Mexico as 
the U.S. and Canada have introduced restrictions on the sale of the 
drug's main ingredients, like ephedrine.

Those controls have meant there is less domestic production of meth 
resulting is less drug use. Officials believe drug pushers are now 
flavouring batches of meth to boost those slagging sales.

The other new drug on the horizon is called "cheese", but it has 
nothing to do with cows or goats.

It's a mix of acetaminophen and diphenhydramine HCL -- the 
ingredients in Tylenol PM -- with a small amount of heroin. It sells 
by the quarter-gram for a couple of dollars. Many users are young 
teenagers as it's so affordable.

Chaput said police have not seen "cheese" in Winnipeg.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman