Flavored Meth found multiple times in NRV

By Ashley Roberts
WSLS10 Reporter
Published: April 8, 2008

Police in Galax have found strawberry-flavored methamphetamine two times in the last few months. State police believe the flavoring is added to get rid of the drug’s bitter taste and/or to mask the odor.

Parent Kelly Ausmann had never heard about the strawberry-flavored methamphetamine until we told her. She says even though her sons are very young, the thought of methamphetamine in our area that looks like candy is very frightening. “It’s a little scary especially when you have little ones and you’re concerned about candy flavored, any kind of medicine, much less something as bad as an illegal drug.“

Strawberry isn’t the only type of sugar flavoring that’s being added to methamphetamine these days. There’s also vanilla and chocolate, but Sgt. Michael Conroy with state police says those have yet to make it to our area. “We don’t want to hit the panic button, but we also want parents to be on the lookout for this.“

State police seized about a pound of the strawberry-flavored methamphetamine, also known in the streets as “strawberry quick,“ several months ago in the Galax area. The most recent case, also in Galax, was on Sunday. Police arrested Tiffany Barker and Joseph Landreth after finding some of the strawberry quick in the car they were riding in. Both were charged with possession and intent to distribute.

Police tell 10 on your side that there’s no evidence that the flavored methamphetamine is being distributed to kids or near schools, but they still want to warn parents. They say a child could look at the strawberry coloring as something attractive and sweet, when it’s really something deadly.

“The biggest thing is for parents to keep their eyes open,“ says Conroy.