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Children get high on ‘sweets’
Phoenix parents are urged to keep a watchful eye on the sweets their children consume and where they get them from as drugs often come on to the black market in the form of sweets.
Democratic Alliance PR Councillor Maggie Johnson alleged that drug dealers are at it again with the latest drug called 'strawberry quick,' which is being sold to children at schools. "Disguised as a lollipop, cocaine is injected into a sucker stick and as the sweet comes to an end, the child reaches the stored cocaine," said Cllr. Johnson.
She said parents ought to also take heed of another alleged drug-containing “sweet” doing the rounds, which comes in the form of flavoured 'pop rocks' which sizzle and pop in the mouth. "This is actually crystal meth; it smells like a sweet and is packaged like one. These drugs are potentially harmful," said Cllr. Johnson.
"Short-term symptoms are dilated pupils, dry mouth, rapid pulses, hyperactivity, unnatural excitement and long-term effects include disinterest, depression, mouth sores and weight loss," said Cllr. Johnson. "Pupils are accosted outside the school gates and sold these candies for about R10. Drug addiction of school children is a very real problem that brings with it a host of social ills," stated Cllr. Johnson. She said that a concerted, coordinated effort by all role players - parents, the Metro Police, SAPS, the City Council, religious and sporting organisations and the general public - is essential if the war against drugs is to be won.
"If immediate action is not taken to stop the scourge of drugs, we will lose a future generation. Stringent law enforcement is necessary to stem this deluge of drugs entering our community through unscrupulous drug lords," concluded Cllr. Johnson.
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