August 14th 2024.
In a shocking turn of events, a child in Auckland recently spat out a lolly that was laced with methamphetamine. This lolly had been included in a food parcel that the family had received from the Auckland City Mission. It was later discovered that these Rinda-branded pineapple lollies had been unknowingly distributed in food parcels after a donation by an unknown member of the public in July.
According to the Auckland City missioner Helen Robinson, the lollies taste "acrid and revolting" and even just licking them can have serious effects due to the high concentration of methamphetamine. In fact, each lolly contains up to 300 doses of the drug, making it potentially fatal. Two mission staff members even tried the lollies on Tuesday and immediately spat them out because of the taste. They then took the lollies to the New Zealand Drug Foundation for testing, although they did not require any medical attention.
Robinson believes that any food parcels containing the lollies were distributed from the mission's Boston Rd base. She assures the public that they are certain the lollies did not go out to their partner marae. It was later discovered that the lollies had been donated to the mission sometime in July, possibly around the middle of the month. However, as a precaution, they are working under the assumption that they may have been distributed since July 1.
Further testing by the Drug Foundation showed that the lollies contained 100% methamphetamine. Robinson emphasizes the danger of these lollies, stating that even a small touch or lick can have serious effects. The mission is conducting an internal investigation to determine if their processes need to be improved.
The mission staff had assumed that the lollies were safe as they were received in a sealed pack, which Robinson believes was a reasonable assumption. However, she expresses how devastated they are by this incident and how distressing it has been for everyone involved. The NZ Drug Foundation is also concerned that there may be more of these lollies out there, as disguising drugs as something else to smuggle them is a common practice internationally.
According to the deputy director of the Drug Foundation, Ben Birks-Ang, consuming one of these lollies can be potentially lethal. The symptoms include chest pain, racing heart, hyperthermia, delirium, and loss of consciousness. Anyone who has been affected by these lollies is advised to call 111 or the National Poisons Centre. The police are treating this matter as a priority due to the risk it poses to the public.
Robinson commends the food parcel recipient who first alerted the mission to the lollies after feeling unwell. She believes that their actions may have potentially saved lives in the country. When she spoke to the person on Tuesday night, she was relieved to hear that their physical health was fine. The Auckland City Mission distributes around 50,000 food parcels a year and only accepts commercially manufactured food for inclusion in these parcels. The lollies appeared to be just that when they were donated.
In the wake of this incident, the mission urges the public to stay informed and shares updates through their WhatsApp channel. They assure the public that their privacy will be protected and their details will not be shared. It is a difficult time for everyone involved, but the mission remains dedicated to their cause of helping those in need and will continue to do so in a safe and responsible manner.
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