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New Zealand charity apologizes for giving out candy with meth
A charity in New Zealand apologized after they mistakenly gave out donated meth-laced candy.
A New Zealand charity working with people experiencing homelessness unknowingly distributed candies laced with potentially lethal amounts of methamphetamine after they were donated to the organization.
Auckland City Mission, located on the country’s north island, apologized Wednesday for distributing dozens of pineapple-flavored candies that had sickened at least three people, as of Wednesday.
The charity, which serves those who cannot afford food, said it first became aware of the issue on Tuesday afternoon when several recipients complained after eating the wrapped Rinda brand pineapple-flavored sweets.
“We are deeply concerned at this turn of events and the police are actively investigating,” the charity posted in a statement released online.
The candy, donated by an unknown member of the public, was tested by the New Zealand Drug Foundation, which each piece of candy contained a potentially lethal 3 grams (0.1 ounces) of meth − up to 300 times the normal dose, Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm said.
Methamphetamine has no smell, tastes bitter
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system.
The powerful drug is white, odorless, and bitter-tasting, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
The NZ Drug Foundation, which first tested the sweets, advises people not to eat, taste or lick the candy.
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3 people sickened from charity’s meth-laced candy
A child, a teenager and a charity worker all sought medical treatment after tasting the sweet, Reuters reported.
“To say we are devastated is an understatement,” Auckland City Mission wrote in a statement obtained by the outlet.
So far, no hospitalizations have taken place, Auckland police Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin told reporters during a press conference Wednesday.
“This meth puts families and the public at extreme risk it’s frightening,” Baldwin told reporters. “It’s vital the public is aware of these lollies.”
There was no suggestion of wrongdoing by Auckland City Mission, police reported.
Police believe the candies were the byproduct of an international drug trafficking operation and have called for them to be handed them over to the authorities, Reuters reported.
Baldwin said they are also investigating how the candies entered the country, Baldwin said.
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What are symptoms of a meth overdose?
In doses that large, symptoms of a meth overdose include the following:
- Chest pain
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Seizures
- Fever
- Increased respiration
- Delirium
- Loss of consciousness
Anyone experiencing those symptoms after consuming one of the affected sweets should immediately call first responders.
Anyone with Infomation about the case is asked to contact Auckland police, Baldwin said.
Contributing: Reuters
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
