Drugs Disguised as Halloween Candy: Is it a Risk?

Written by Patrick Luce and Brian McCready, Patch Staff

With the Halloween holiday just days away, police are warning parents and trick-or-treaters about fun-shaped candies that are actually harmful drugs.

But the danger may not actually be as dire as it at first seems.

On Wednesday, a Facebook post by the Jackson Police Department in Mississippi, spread across the internet like wildfire. Folks across America should be on alert this Halloween because the brightly-colored candy pieces are edible ecstasy tablets, the post warned.

The drugs include pieces shaped like the Superman, Nintendo and Warner Brothers logos, with skulls and domino pieces mixed in. The department warned via Facebook, ”If your kids get these for Halloween candy, they ARE NOT CANDY!!! They are the new shapes of ‘Ecstasy’ and can kill kids through overdoses!!!”

Additionally, the department stressed the importance of throughly checking all Halloween candy saying, “When in doubt, throw it out!!!”

An officer at the department told a local news channel that the post was intended to be a national warning, not just a threat specific to Jackson.

While it’s always a good idea to be vigilant, the risk of drugs-disguised-as-candy showing up in your child’s trick-or-treat bag isn’t likely all that high.

First, young children with no disposable income are not exactly the target market of nefarious drug dealers looking to hook unsuspecting victims on expensive, dangerous drugs.

Second, the drug in question — Ecstasy — isn’t known to be addictive, negating any value to drug dealers of giving out free samples.

Third, there’s the cost factor again. Ecstasy is pricy. The collection of tablets shown above has a street value of several hundred dollars, making that a rather expensive trick-or-treat to hand out.

Still, it’s always best to be safe. Other drug makers have disguised dangerous drugs —including Flakka, similar to bath salts — as popular candy.

If you happen to come across these drug-laced candies while trick-or-treating immediately contact police.

Connecticut State Police spokesman Kelly Grant said there haven’t been any reports to State Police of Halloween candy being poisoned.

Connecticut and Halloween candy safety

Connecticut State Troopers want everyone to have an enjoyable, but safe, Halloween, Grant said.

Troopers remind trick or treaters of all ages to inspect candy before eating it.

“Parents are asked to help Troopers in encouraging children not to eat any candy until they are home, and able to have an adult look at it,” Grant said. “As with packaging on any consumable item you purchase, if the seal is broken do not eat it.

Any candy wrappers that are ripped, torn, or slightly open should be discarded, we understand the tear could have happened simply from being jostled around, but we’d rather you be safe. Any candy that you have never seen before, or is suspicious in nature, should also be discarded. Troopers prefer that you only collect candy from houses you are familiar with,” Grant added.

Overall safety tips from Connecticut State Police:

Check the Sex Offender Registry to know who’s in your neighborhood and community.

Trick or treaters…..remember to look both ways for traffic, walk to the side of the road or on sidewalks, never trick or treat alone, don’t accept rides from strangers, don’t dart out into the street, carry a flashlight or wear brighter colors. Make sure your eyes aren’t completely covered and you can see where you are going.

Motorists……drive slower on Halloween, keep in mind excited trick or treaters may dart from a driveway into the street on their way to the next house.

Additionally, the week following Halloween, Troopers are collecting leftover Halloween candy to send to the Military Troops overseas. Candy should be dropped off at State Police headquarters Nov. 2-Nov. 6 between 8:30 am-4:15 pm.