'TASTY' METH DRUG NOT HERE

An e-mail about a powerful drug that smells and apparently tastes like
strawberries is circulating in the community and stirring up concern
with Wetaskiwin residents, but it appears to be all for not.

RCMP Const. Lee Grieco-Savoy, who heads up the community Drug Abuse
Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program and is also a school liaison
officer, said the powerful methamphetamine known as strawberry quick
does not exist in Wetaskiwin or Hobbema.

"I'm wondering if it's an Internet myth.

"I was sent this last year. I have been aware of this so-called
strawberry meth since last year when I got e-mails from concerned
parents and prinicipals.

"I told them what I am going to tell you. First of all, we don't have
it in Wetaskiwin or Hobbema.

"Second of all, I am unaware of it being even in Edmonton, maybe it is
there and I don't know about it. It's entirely possible," she said.

"Lastly, I am concerned that it might even be an Internet myth where
we get those e-mails that go around the world several times and they
are totally bogus. I don't know if it is or not.

"Having said that, anything that any kid is offered that is sweet
flavoured from a stranger, they shouldn't be taking it . if it is not
packaged commercially."

Most families know these days that anything that is not commercially
packaged, they shouldn't be accepting it, they should be throwing it
out."

The e-mail sent to the Times warns of a new drug in
schools.

"Please pass this on even if you do not have kids in school. Parents
should know about this killer drug, Grandparents, send it to your
families (sic) and friends.

"There is a type of crystal meth going around that looks like
strawberry pop rocks (the candy that sizzles and "pops" in your mouth).

"It also smells like strawberry and it is being handed out to kids in
schoolyards. They are calling it strawberry meth or strawberry quick.

"Kids are ingesting this thinking that it is candy and being rushed
off to the hospital in dire condition.

It also comes in chocolate, peanut butter, cola, cherry, grape and
orange," read the e-mail.

Grieco-Savoy said she received e-mails and telephone calls last years
by concerned parents and citizens.

"It seems to come around at the beginning of every school
year.

"Someone calls me up or sends me e-mail. Did you hear of this? Well, I
have heard of it, but I don't know if it's actual true or fabrication,
I can't say.

"I mean there's a lot of creative garbage out there. I have no doubt
that drug dealers come up with creative ways to attract kids and hook
kids.

"But this particular item, this strawberry meth, I haven't heard of it
nor seen it in our area," said Grieco-Savoy.