YoDAA has received an indirect report from a school based source about an apparent new drug called “strawberry quick” or flavoured methamphetamine.

In the course of our work we are often privy to news about new drug trends from our partner organisations or callers who ring our 24 hour phone line.

A lot of the time a ‘new’ drugs turn out to be an old drug that is being marketed or talked about in a new way. These new drugs can tend to be quite ‘faddish’ remaining restricted to a particular geographical location or particular group of young people for a short period of time. Thus what might appear to be rapidly gaining momentum turns out to be a short lived fad amongst a small group in a particular location.

It is worth remembering this context when exploring ‘Strawberry Quick’. From what YoDAA can gather this drug is basically methamphetamine (or Ice) that has had strawberry colour and flavour added to it to appeal to a different (possibly younger) market.

The first record of Strawberry Quick that we can find dates back to 2007 where a school principal in the USA apparently circulated a warning about ‘children’s meth’ that ‘also comes in chocolate, peanut butter, cola, cherry, grape and orange.’ Since then it has been reported on and off in the media and social media and user forums (in Australia and overseas).

In 2012 Strawberry Quick was the subject of an internet hoax where a fake hospital warning about the drug was circulated.

Interestingly, the drug itself has been extremely illusive with no reported drug seizures attached to the 2007 claims (and few reports of anyone actually trying it on user forums). We have had no reports of strawberry quick from youth AOD workers in the YoDAA partnership network although varying coloured amphetamines are the norm.

If a school professional or anyone else has concerns about Strawberry Quick, the advice we would give is the same as for any drug.

A lot of the time a ‘new’ drugs turn out to be an old drug that is being marketed or talked about in a new way

For young people who are identified as at risk of problematic drug use / using alcohol and other drugs, a harm minimisation approach that offers pragmatic ways to be safer is important. YoDAA has evidence based articles and resources for students who are at risk of harm from drug use. As a start, check out;

Let us know if you are seeing any emerging drug trends. We can help with Harm reduction advice and let other workers know through dissemination.