Fact Check: "Strawberry Quick" Drug Scare - A Recurring Hoax

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Fact Check: "Strawberry Quick" Drug Scare - A Recurring Hoax





A recent image circulating online purportedly showing "Strawberry Quick," a dangerous drug targeting schoolchildren, has been debunked as a recurring hoax. The image, often accompanied by alarming captions warning parents about a "new" drug disguised as strawberry candy, has been repeatedly used to spread misinformation and create unnecessary panic.

The Claim: Social media posts warn of a crystal meth variant called "Strawberry Quick" being distributed in schools, disguised as strawberry candy to attract children. These posts often feature a specific image as "proof" of the drug's existence.

The Reality: This claim is a recycled hoax that has surfaced periodically since at least 2007. The image used in the recent posts has been traced back to a 2017 news report in The Sun about ecstasy pills found in the UK, not crystal meth in candy form. There are no credible, recent reports from law enforcement or health organizations substantiating the claim of "Strawberry Quick" being actively distributed in schools.

Evidence:-

  Image Origin: Reverse image searches reveal the viral image originates from a 2017 Sun article about ecstasy pills in the UK, not a new drug in candy form. This directly contradicts the claim that the image depicts "Strawberry Quick" being found in schools.

  Police Denials: News reports from multiple sources, including The Print and Boom Live, document denials from law enforcement agencies, such as the Arunachal Pradesh Police, regarding the current circulation of this alleged drug. These agencies have labeled the claim a "hoax" and an "old internet hoax" that has resurfaced.

  Past Debunking: Fact-checking organizations like Snopes have previously debunked similar claims about "Strawberry Quick" being sold to children, further demonstrating the recurring nature of this misinformation.

  Lack of Recent Cases: While a 2010 Times of India report mentioned concerns about the drug in Mumbai schools, no recent, verified cases have been reported in India or elsewhere. The lack of such reports, despite widespread concern and online sharing, casts significant doubt on the current claims.

Timeline of Debunking and Evidence:-

2007: Reports of "Strawberry Quick" surfaced in the US, but were quickly debunked by fact-checking organizations like Snopes. This marked the beginning of the recurring hoax.

2010: A Times of India report mentioned concerns about the drug in Mumbai schools. However, no concrete evidence or subsequent reports confirmed its presence.

2017: The image currently being circulated was traced back to a Sun article reporting on UK schoolgirls hospitalized after consuming "teddy bear ecstasy pills," not "Strawberry Quick" methamphetamine. This directly contradicts the current claims.

January 31, 2025: The Arunachal Pradesh Police in India released an official statement classifying the social media posts as "false" and an "internet hoax." They confirmed no such drug is circulating in schools.

Recent Activity (2025): The hoax has resurfaced in various regions, including the Caribbean (Jamaica) and Sri Lanka. The Jamaican Ministry of Education released a statement addressing the misinformation.

Sri Lanka Response: The Sri Lanka Police Media Unit confirmed they have received no reports or complaints about "Strawberry Quick" or similar drugs being sold to schoolchildren. A spokesperson for the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) stated that while drug use among some street children exists, methamphetamine, an expensive drug, is unlikely to be targeted at school children due to cost. They further confirmed no reports of "Strawberry Quick" in Sri Lanka and no detection of any drug resembling the image associated with the hoax.

Conclusion:-

The "Strawberry Quick" drug scare is a classic example of how misinformation can spread rapidly online, causing unnecessary panic. The image used in the posts is demonstrably unrelated to the claimed drug, and law enforcement agencies in multiple countries have explicitly debunked the claims. While vigilance regarding drug use among young people is essential, it's crucial to rely on credible sources of information and avoid perpetuating hoaxes that only serve to create confusion and fear. This particular claim is a recurring hoax, and sharing it only contributes to the spread of misinformation. The evidence is clear: "Strawberry Quick" as depicted in these viral posts is a myth.The "Strawberry Quick" drug scare is a classic example of misinformation spreading rapidly online. 

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