”In their quest to lure new, younger clientele, drug dealers are mixing their wares with over-the-counter pain remedies and other familiar products — even candy — and peddling them under non-threatening names." ~Story from Associated Press
Try as I might I can not see how people will stoop so far to make a buck that they will sell drugs to children. Now when they develop a sophisticated marketing program to maximize the distribution to this school age demographic, well that’s just downright evil.
Read more below the fold…
Heroin has never been accepted widely by school age children whose use of alcohol and marijuana is prevalent by the tenth grade. Its cost, the penalty for possession, and reputation for nasty addiction have kept it as a minor player in our nation’s schools. But it seems that drug dealers in Texas have figured out a way to get around the stigma of heroin, and as they say in Marketing 101 “it’s all in the packaging”.
They are calling it cheese not heroin, so that it doesn’t sound so scary and you will often find it sold wrapped in innocuous notebook paper. The drug is mostly Tylenol PM or some other over the counter medication, with just enough heroin to get the job done and the kid addicted. This keeps the cost down, with hits costing as little as two bucks.
Even crystal meth is getting a makeover; mixed with strawberry drink mix to make it more palatable and less scary it is reintroduced on the school grounds as “Strawberry Quick”. Regardless of its benign look, this candy-colored drug's mascot is the county coroner instead of the cute Nestle bunny. Sweet drinks and candy may get you a few cavities, but crystal meth will absolutely destroy your teeth. (now that doesn't sound so sweet does it kiddies?)
Regardless of how harmless they look, these drugs are killers. Heroin deaths in school age children are skyrocketing and graduated drug use is on the rise. They lack the experience and judgment to handle this kind of sophisticated sales pitch and also studies show that teenagers who use drugs and alcohol are exponentially more at risk at becoming addicted than adults. Here, here, here, here, and here are a few links for those interested in finding out more about this disturbing new trend in the drug scene.
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Cocaine laced baby formula and cannabis puree? Disgusting
read the story here at The Junky's Wife about Afghanistan's child opium addicts.
...how much of what we're seeing lately in the press about attempts to hook children is really accurate...while the onset of addiction is certainly getting younger, I think that the media also is on the verge of a moral panic about the "cheese" scare. Frightening parents probably isn't going to do much to solve the problem...and that's the target audience for much of the cheese and strawberry meth media.
I think this is one of the few times I don't mind the media trying to scare up a panic. I grew up in an area where even as a young'un in school alcohol and weed were commonplace. But at least to us heroin was still "scary", when packaged like this I think the article is right, its just not as foreboding.
but I am inclined to agree with the article. I did not know a single soul in high school that used Herion, but now kids are using Cheese. I mean it is mostly Tylenol PM, right (not so scary, I take PMs daily)? And Strawberry Quick, my 15 and 13 year old cousins knew about it and most of my older relatives were clueless. That stuff looks like rock candy and not the least bit scary. Packaging makes all the differences and these two drugs are trendy and pink and "made from tylenol pm and I can get that at the store so it must not be all that bad, I mean I am a kid and that won't happen to me!" Parental education is key but so is education to kids. Take them to the homeless shelter and let them see the rotted mouths of the homeless addicts waiting in line for a free meal (not that all homeless people are addicts but I have seen plenty of them while dealing with my ex issues).
I usually get frustrated with the way the media hyperventilates over most stories. But in this case, I say let em scaremonger, maybe it will save a live or two.
Drug addiction is a serious problem...do not ignore people with this problem help them
a rather strange comment, but it turns out just to nonsense post to get the link. You don't have to do it this way, come back and explain your program in a blog Mr./Mrs. Narconon.
Alcohol and marijuana are definitely love potions (more or less). But it's important to not over do it, abuses can be made very easily (influenced by friends etc) so it would be wise to stay away from them if you don't have self-control.drug addiction treatment centerI do not have a high regard for drug treatment centers that use non-sensical postings on my dime to advertise their services. ~ TDA
now I'll ask you to refrain from posting since it seems you are not interested in leaving helpful comments but only links.
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