Candy-Coated Crystal Meth

As if crystal methamphetamine, more commonly known as crystal meth, was not enough of a threat to rural America, meth manufacturers are now creating a candy-colored and flavored variety of the drug along with cartoon characters to recruit younger users. 

Meth is a highly addictive synthetic stimulant that is usually in the form of crystalline powder. The nature and composition of the drug makes it one of the most difficult drugs to quit. 

It’s just wrong. We at The Hilltop think deliberately targeting young people in order to help the drug trade thrive is deplorable and unconscionable.

However, this marketing tactic of attracting younger users is not unique to the illegal drug market. It all started with the cigarette industry and Joe Camel.

Chocolate, grape, peanut butter and strawberry are just some of the latest flavors being offered by dealers and manufacturers in our ever-changing drug economy.

Perhaps meth manufacturers are engaging in this lethal marketing ploy because teen drug use has gone down 23 percent nationwide over the last five years according to an annual survey by the University of Michigan.

Whatever the reason is, it is troubling lawmakers who are trying to  prevent teen drug use.

So attracting young people to meth would potentially secure a strong economic base for the industry, as users would be in the grips of addiction for a long period of time – if they’re lucky.
This is just another example of how systematic the drug game is. Nothing happens by accident. There are people and governments that strategize every move and decision about drugs. 

This trend with meth should be watched closely since it has yet to gain much popularity in some of its biggest markets like West Virginia, Tennessee and Montana. 

Unfortunately, this trend in illegal drug marketing does not stop with crystal meth.

There are reports of the same thing happening with marijuana. Marijuana distributors are branding the drug by using logos and packaging from children’s breakfast cereals and candy.  They now have “Pot Loops” instead of Fruit Loops.

We at The Hilltop think drug enforcement officials should closely monitor and police those in the community who choose to prey on young children for monetary gain.