This message circulating across various WhatsApp groups claims to show an email circulated by Rusinga School through their headteacher Mrs. Echessa Kariuki, warning parents of a new drug, “Strawberry quick” being peddled in schools.
Background
Strawberry Quick has been a topic of discussion since 2007 when Kokomo Tribune, a daily newspaper, based in Kokomo, Indiana, United States, reported that drug dealers were disguising drugs as candy; adding red colouring and flavouring to crystal meth to hook the younger population. Another report by CBS news also revealed that drug dealers were using flavours to “make the substance more consumable for the masses”.
According to research by the CDC, Methamphetamine also known as crystal meth is a highly addictive Central Nervous System stimulant. Its use causes psychosis and other mental disorders. Users also experience cardiovascular and renal dysfunction.
An article by Klew TV, a television station licensed to Lewiston, Idaho, United States, affiliated with CBS argues that there is some semblance of truth to what is being shared on the effect Meth has on users but the peddlers targeting school children seems far fetched.
“Drug dealers are in the business of making money and school-age children don’t usually have the type of money it takes to purchase expensive drugs.”
A single hit of meth which is a single dose according to Recovered.org costs $5 and is often 100% pure.
People on Twitter from various countries have been sharing this claim on the platform since 2010. Going through the tweets, you will notice that the wording and punctuation in the messages circulated in 2018 and the ones shared recently is the same.
Kenya is yet to officially record a case of the drug being sold to school children.
Verification
In a phone interview, Priscilla Muthoni, Rusinga Schools’ Admissions, Communication and Marketing manager told Piga Firimbi that the institution indeed sent the message, but not recently.
“Yes, the school sent the message back in 2014/2015,” she said.
She also said that the message at the time wasn’t sent out because a case of the drug being sold to one of their students was reported. She clarifies that they got wind of this information because the school keeps track of the trends that could affect their students. Once something catches their attention they then caution and give guidance to the relevant stakeholders.
Verdict
The timing in the recent circulation of this statement from Rusinga Schools is MISLEADING.
Add comment