It is called "crystal," "ice," "glass," "chalk," "crank," "speed," "go-fast" or simply "meth." This is how Janie Fulghum, of Mothers Against Methamphetamine, began a recent presentation at a public gathering in Newborn. According to Fulghum, methamphetamine has become the drug of choice in much of America. It gives a quick high. It is highly addictive. It is relatively inexpensive (in terms of money). It is made by cooking a mixture of Drano, ammonia, kerosene, lighter fluid, soap, lye, canned heat, and red phosphorus. Pictures from before and after drug use make it clear that this is highly toxic to the user. Addicts of just a few months use look haggard, 30 years older and deathly ill.

Especially disturbing was Fulghum's warning that the dealers could be marketing their drug to children using a pink, hard-candy-looking form of methamphetamine.

There seemed to be some question as to whether this meth/candy was real, or if this was a story someone made up and posted on the internet. Regardless, it brings to mind Jesus' warning to those who would harm children.

Jesus said, "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin" (Luke 17:1-2). There is a sense in which we are all God's children, and so Jesus' warning could be applied to all who push harmful drugs on others, regardless of their age.

Halloween is just around the corner. Parents, please be careful with your children. Look at the candy before your kids eat it. Don't let them take candy from strangers.

You may even want to choose safe alternatives to going door to door, like church sponsored Halloween parties. For more information on Mothers Against Methamphetamine, see www.mamasite.net, or call (866) 293-8901.