CRYSTAL MYTH

Rampant rumours warning that drug dealers are marketing
candy-flavoured crystal meth to children are not true, according to
Const. Michael McLaughlin of the North Vancouver RCMP.

In recent weeks, the RCMP has been flooded with inquiries about
whether the inherently bitter-tasting drug has been sweetened to taste
like strawberry, peanut butter, popcorn and cola in an attempt to hook
kids.

McLaughlin said they've spoken to drug experts, partner agencies
across Canada and Health Canada and none of them have reported any
seizures of "crystal meth candy."

"I can't say for sure it doesn't exist," he said. "According to Health
Canada and according to our partners across the country, we haven't
found a single case."

On June 26 The Province reported that drug dealers in the Okanagan
were packaging meth to look like Pixy Stix candy. In the article
Staff-Sgt. Kurt Lozinski of South Okanagan RCMP was quoted saying he
had "seen a little bit of it" and knows "it's out there more than
we're seeing."

McLaughlin said he spoke to Lozinski and he said his comments were
taken out of context. Lozinski told McLaughlin he said that in powder
form, the drug looks like sugary candy. He did not say it had been
packaged as candy or sweetened.

Mass e-mails circulated by concerned members of the public have also
contributed to concern, McLaughlin added. "I had received a few mass
e-mails and it struck me as something that could be a myth," he said.

One case has been reported in Nevada, but RCMP say there is no
legitimate cause for worry in North Vancouver.

"This would be on our absolute top priorities if it were legitimate,"
McLaughlin said. "If any one of our drug experts came across drugs
that were being marketed to children, the public would be the first to
know."