FRUITY METH FEARS OVERBLOWN

Designer Drug 'Becoming An Urban Myth'

Fruity drug fears might be more flavour than substance.

Edmontonians are blowing U.S. reports of a flavoured form of
methamphetamine known as Strawberry Quick way out of proportion, says
Edmonton police staff Sgt. Darcy Strang.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's kind of becoming an urban myth,"
Strang said of the designer meth, which is reportedly flavoured with
powdered drink mix in an apparent bid to reduce the drug's harsh
chemical taste, making it more palatable.

City police have received numerous calls in recent weeks from schools
and parents regarding Strawberry Quick, Strang said.

However, the designer drug hasn't been reported anywhere in Canada
and isn't even that prominent south of the border, Strang added.

According to his sources in the Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S.
authorities haven't even tested the flavoured meth yet.

Strang said dealers probably wouldn't bother pushing the flavoured
drug on users over 12 years old, because that demographic wouldn't
care about the flavour or smell of meth as much as the drug's effects.

Dealers could market this special meth to younger children. However,
Strang said that demographic typically can't offer any money or
service worth the dealers' efforts.

Also, adding juice crystals to meth would dilute the drug, which
users probably wouldn't want.

Although the concern of parents and schools is encouraging, Strang
doesn't think flavoured meth will become a big problem.

He said narcotics are already a problem in Edmonton without worrying
about a few accounts of some novelty marketing gimmick with
questionable profitability for dealers, which hasn't even been
reported in Canada yet.

"If you want to be concerned about something, be concerned about
drugs," he said.

The public worry follows a recent CBS news report on the flavoured
meth, presumably named after Nestle's popular strawberry milk
beverage, which has appeared in Arkansas.

Meth usually has a strong, bitter taste and is harsh to the nose when
ingested. Pink in colour, in some cases, the flavoured drug allegedly
appears like "Pop Rock" candy, with a strawberry scent, according to
the CBS report.

City prostitute Carol-Lynn Strachan said she hears about the
flavoured meth often, but she doesn't know of anyone who has seen it.

She said the drug could be effective in recruiting new users.

"Getting rid of the bitter taste, some might be willing to try it
again," she said.