In years of working to combat illicit drugs, I’ve seen a lot, but maybe nothing quite as venal and cynical as candy-flavored methamphetamine and cocaine marketed to children.
Law enforcement officers and drug treatment officials have come across methamphetamine, cocaine and other illegal drugs that have been colored, packaged and flavored to appeal to children. Some of these items have names like “Pot Tarts” and “Reese’s Crumbled Hash Brownies.”
In March of last year, Chicago police warned parents about a strawberry-flavored version of methamphetamine called “strawberry quick” or “strawberry meth.” The police worried that the drug would appear in schools and that kids would give it to each other like candy, not knowing the item’s true nature. This kind of drug manipulation is not a small-time venture. In 2008 near Modesto, Calif., federal agents seized cocaine worth $272,400. A lot of it was flavored with cinnamon, coconut, lemon and strawberry.
Current federal law has no enhanced penalties for flavoring or packaging controlled substances to attract kids. That’s why Sen. Dianne Feinstein and I, as co-chairs of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, have introduced legislation to increase federal penalties for drug dealers who engage in this repellent practice. The Saving Kids From Dangerous Drugs Act provides an enhanced penalty when any adult knowingly or intentionally manufactures or creates a controlled substance listed in Schedule I or Schedule II that is: combined with a beverage or candy product; marketed or packaged to appear similar to a beverage or candy product; or modified by flavoring or coloring. The bill subjects anyone who alters a controlled substance in these ways to the following penalties, in addition to the penalty for the underlying offense: up to 10 years for the first offense; up to 20 years for a second or subsequent offense.
Law enforcement and anti-drug groups strongly support the legislation.
Anything that makes a dangerous drug seem less dangerous to kids is a serious problem. The law should make clear that marketing drugs to kids will have steep consequences.