Western Cape parents warned about hoax drug message circulating online
Parents in the Western Cape have been warned against a fake hoax message making the rounds online about pink drugs on school grounds.
A message circulated on crime groups warning that parents should be aware about a known drug called ‘strawberry quick, which contains crystal meth (tik) and is being handed out to children at schools.
The message features a picture of the alleged drug, which looks like pink gummy bears. The message warns that the drug also comes in chocolate, peanut butter, cola, cherry, grape and orange flavours.
The message reads: “Please pass this on even if you do not have kids in school. "Parents should know about this drug. This is a new drug known as 'strawberry quick'.
"There is a very scary thing going on in the schools right now that we all need to be aware of. There is a type of crystal meth going around that looks like strawberry pop rocks (the candy that sizzles and 'pops' in your mouth).
"Kids are ingesting this thinking that it is candy and being rushed off to the hospital in dire condition.”
Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said that the message is a hoax that pops up every year, but warned parents to stay vigilant.
The strawberry quick hoax has been making the rounds on social media since 2007. It resurfaces every year or so and the public unfortunately takes it as fact, when in fact it is a hoax.
“There is no substance of this nature circulating in schools. This is another example of how the sharing of unverified information on social media can bring about unnecessary concern.
“However, we must always remain vigilant about the dangers of substance abuse and taking sweets from strangers.”