By Debra Rono
At least three individuals, including a child, have sought medical assistance after consuming meth-laced sweets in New Zealand.
Authorities in New Zealand say they are urgently working to locate confectionery items that reportedly contain “potentially lethal levels of methamphetamine,” which were distributed by a charity organization in Auckland.
The Auckland City Mission, an anti-poverty charity, indicated that as many as 400 individuals may have received these pineapple-flavored sweets as part of a food parcel.
The confectionery was donated anonymously by a member of the public and was packaged in a sealed retail container. According to the New Zealand Drug Foundation, each sweet could have a street value of approximately NZ$1,000 ($601; £468).
Meth is a man-made stimulant known for its high potential for addiction.
Users often seek out this drug due to the intense euphoric sensations it can induce and its effects that may persist for as long as 24 hours. The affordability and relative ease of production contribute to its accessibility, particularly among teenagers.
Methamphetamine can be consumed through various methods, including injection, smoking, snorting, or oral ingestion.
The substance poses significant health risks, such as an accelerated heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and damage to the brain’s small blood vessels, which can result in a stroke.
Long-term use may lead to inflammation of the heart’s lining, while overdoses can trigger severe complications, including hyperthermia, seizures, and death.