Chuck Grassley: “I express my deep concern about the developing trends in drug abuse among our kids. As cochairman of the Senate Caucus…”

“I express my deep concern about the developing trends in drug abuse among our kids. As cochairman of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, I am often confronted with reports about the latest drug trends, but recently I have become more alarmed with what these reports contain. Drug dealers are beginning to market their deadly substances to an increasingly younger crowd so they can become hooked at a younger age. Young people are the most at-risk populations we have in drug abuse, which is why it is disturbing to see highly addictive drugs such as meth, heroin, even prescription pain killers, antidepressants, and steroids marketed and distributed in new ways--with an emphasis upon new ways--to get a greater number of very young people, particularly elementary children, addicted. I want Congress and the American people to know what is going on with our kids and what we need to do to stop these very dangerous trends. We have things such as candy-flavored methamphetamine. It is one of the biggest and latest gimmicks that drug dealers use to lure our kids into addiction. Flavors such as strawberry, known as 'Strawberry Quick,' and chocolate are clearly being used to make methamphetamine seem less harmful and more appealing. This type of meth is also being marketed in smaller amounts, making it cheaper--because money is an issue--and, hence, more accessible to children.”