INSIDE SCOOP
COMMENTARY
PARENTING
BODY FOUND IN PALISADES PARK PAGE 3 DISCRIMINATION ISN’T ALL THAT BAD PAGE 4 DEAR DORIE PAGE 8
TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2007
Visit us online at smdp.com
Volume 6 Issue 175
Santa Monica Daily Press RYAN THE LAUGH RIOT SEE PAGE 13
Since 2001: A news odyssey
THE ROLLING ON THE RIVER ISSUE
These sweets aren’t for kids ‘Meth Candy’ hits the streets; Santa Monica may be next BY KEVIN HERRERA Daily Press Staff Writer
DOWNTOWN From lollipops to high-sugar sodas, law enforcement officials say they are finding methamphetamines cut with a variety of candies, drinks and other materials, making the “designer meth” easier to sell to
kids, who may mistake it for Pop Rocks or other tasty treats. While the drug has not made its way into Santa Monica, narcotics officers are aware that it exists and are keeping an eye out for the deceptively-packaged, and highly-addictive stimulant, said SMPD Lt. Alex Padilla. “We have primarily seen it up north,” Padilla said, referring to Northern California. “We are being kept informed as it makes its way around. So far we have not seen it here yet.” An e-mail about the drug was circulated recently by law enforcement agencies including the Los Angeles County Sheriffs
Department and the California Highway Patrol. The e-mail said the meth “smells like strawberry … and it is being handed out to kids in school yards… It also comes in chocolate, peanut butter, cherry, grape and orange — It looks just like Pop Rocks.” Officials with the DEA said mixing the meth with candy or strawberry-flavored drink mix can smooth the chemically rough ingestion of the drug, making it easier for first-time users to try. Because of its chemical properties, meth easily mixes into any water-based
Photo courtesy
CLEVER DISGUISE: Meth is being cut with
SEE METH PAGE 11
candy according to the L.A. County Sheriff.
PARENTING
CHILD’S PLAY
BabyFirstTV makes learning easy STORY STORY BY BY MELODY MELODY HANATANI HANATANI PAGE PAGE 10 10
image courtesy BabyFirstTV