A press release from ER24 shares more information on the Strawberry Quick drug. The release shares information on what is known about the drug, what parents should be aware of and how to identify if your child has been targeted.
1. Strawberry Quick, a combination of sugar, food colouring, flavourings and crystal meth, was thought to be a hoax a few years ago. An investigative journalism programme recently revealed it does in fact exist.
2. ER24 urges parents to be aware that this drug is said to be very accessible to children. Parents should seek help for children immediately should it be found they have ingested the drug.
3. A number of schools targeted in Gauteng have already been identified. Dealers pose as sweet vendors outside of these schools, or in close proximity of schools. Both high and primary schools are being targeted according to the press released.
4. The drug is available in four different flavours: strawberry, crème soda, bubble-gum and caramel. The release continued to state that the different flavours have different amounts of crystal meth.
5. A few symptoms that parents should look out for are: chattiness, nervousness, dry mouth, dilated pupils, extreme energy followed by chronic fatigue, paranoia, jaw clenching, increased heart rate, excessive sweating, increased libido, and in severe cases, hallucinations have been reported. The drug has affects people in various ways and could possibly lead to death.
6. Van Kerken urged parents not to allow their children to buy items from street vendors. “If you believe your child may have ingested this drug, contact us immediately. Wrap the sweet up, and we will test the sweet for you,” said Van Kerken. It is vital to find out where the child purchased the sweet or who gave it to them.
Explaining further, Doctor Vernon Wessels, from ER24, said: “Firstly, there is the direct effect of the substance in its usual dosage that can cause various effects on the heart, circulation and neurological systems. Typical with the amphetamines is an increase in heart rate, palpitations, sweating, nervousness, possible hallucinations and even convulsions.
“In severe cases such as an overdose, this could potentially lead to death,” he said.
Dr Wessels said the second effect is related to the use of drugs, irrespective of the type, and the subsequent addiction. “The sharing of needles for intravenous drugs is a common transmission mode for HIV and Hepatitis B.
“As the addiction progresses, general health and hygiene is neglected with development of common infections, for example skin and respiratory track infections and development of malnourishment,” he said.
Addicts also become easy targets for criminals and therefore have a higher risk of sustaining injury. There is also an increased risk of mental illness.
