METH FEARS OVERBLOWN, SAYS RCMP

There's no evidence that a strawberry-flavoured form of crystal
methamphetamine has entered Nunavut, or Canada, for that matter.

Yet email reports of the drug have quickly circulated among alarmed
parents in Iqaluit, spreading concern that their children may be the
target of the crystal meth variation, sometimes called "Stawberry
Quik," that's said to resemble Pop Rock candy.

Cpl. Jimmy Akavak said Nunavut's RCMP have not seized crystal meth,
flavoured or otherwise, in the territory. Nor have they heard reports
of the highly-addictive stimulant being sold to minors.

Nunavut RCMP contacted the federal drug lab in Edmonton, following
several phone calls they received from concerned parents. But while
there have been reports of the drug's spread through the United
States, Akavak said the RCMP has received no reports of the flavoured
meth entering Canada.

Lori Hoffe of Aakaluk Day Care originally circulated an e-mail to
parents "because we work with small children. It was a concern."

She acknowledged the e-mail warning she received originated from the
United States, but said she forwarded it as "a precautionary thing
that's going around."

As the e-mail spread, some parents appeared to quickly conclude the
drug was being sold in Iqaluit. "Let's find out who it is and run him
or her out of town," wrote one person, before sending the e-mail on.

Police in other jurisdictions have pointed out that young children
likely aren't the target market for such a drug, as they would not
have much money to spend.

But the RCMP's Akavak said parents should still tell their children to
never accept candy from strangers.