Wisconsin Poison Center wants parents to be aware of a new trend spreading across Wisconsin that’s all trick and no treat.
Suckers and toffee are being melted down purposely and laced with crushed prescription drugs or powdered illicit drugs. In particular, stimulants such as amphetamines have been discovered in these “treats.”
The intent is to mimic an ordinary candy sucker so it’s hard to detect. Lacing candy with drugs also seems to be the latest way teens and young adults are consuming drugs secretly at parties.
Kids are consuming marijuana accidentally
Similarly, with the recent legalization of recreational marijuana use in some states, more kids are consuming marijuana accidentally because it’s laced in brownies, candy or cookies. Trafficking of marijuana from states where it has been legalized has led to the importation of marijuana into Wisconsin, often hidden in food products. During the past year, Wisconsin Poison Center helped manage at least eight cases of unintentional marijuana ingestion by young children.
It’s not always easy to tell if a child has ingested marijuana, especially if the source is not identified or recognized immediately. Right after ingestion, a child might appear overstimulated, but things may slow down quickly, even to the point of dangerous levels of sedation.
If you suspect any type of ingestion of hallucinogens or stimulants, call Wisconsin Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for help.
- Meg Lesnick, external relations specialist, Wisconsin Poison Center
The Wisconsin Poison Center, located in Milwaukee, provides 24-hour, toll-free poison information for all individuals in Wisconsin. For any poison emergency, call (800) 222-1222