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Should parents worry about drug-infused Halloween candy? Local experts weigh in

Betty Lin-Fisher
Akron Beacon Journal

Halloween trick-or-treating is coming up this weekend and with that parents are looking for ways to keep their kids safe. 

With news that some Akron middle schoolers last month were sickened after ingesting cannabis-infused gummies and growing concern about rainbow fentanyl, which looks like candy, should parents worry about their children’s safety when they’re going door to door? 

More:When does your neighborhood trick-or-treat? Here are dates and times for Northeast Ohio

Candy Corn Halloween candy

We turned to experts at Akron Children’s Hospital to get some tips about Halloween safety. 

“As we work towards Halloween, obviously candy safety is something we are always asked about and fentanyl has been in the news quite a bit,” said Heather Trnka, injury prevention supervisor at Akron Children’s Hospital. Trnka is also state director of Safe Kids Ohio, a community collaborative of individuals who are supportive of injury prevention throughout the community. 

Heather Trnka is an injury prevention supervisor at Akron Children’s Hospital and state director of Safe Kids Ohio.

But Trnka said to put parents’ minds at ease, people typically aren’t going to be handing out any cannabis-infused candy or other drugs to trick or treaters. 

“That is a low-risk item. We know that those folks who get their hands on fetntanyl or other drugs are going to be using it for themselves. It shouldn't be a concern that we're going to be worried that we're going to get it from our neighbors or passed out as candy on Halloween night,” she said. 

Here are some common questions and answers from Trnka and other experts at Children’s Hospital. 

What happened with the cannabis-infused gummies? 

In early September, at least eight students at Litchfield Community Learning Center in Akron ate cannabis-infused gummies at the school, with one student transported by ambulance to a local hospital, Akron Public Schools said. 

The students experienced varying degrees of nausea and lethargy after eating the gummies, the school district said in a statement at the time.

On Monday, Litchfield Principal Jessica Sax said of the investigation into the gummies: "We investigated and disciplined multiple students according to the (Akron Public Schools) Code of Conduct.  We were not able to determine where the gummies came from. They were in possession of student A, and student statements from others involved all indicate that student A was the one distributing them. Student A and guardian of student A deny that they actually belonged to student A."

More:At least 8 Akron students sickened after eating cannabis gummies at Litchfield middle school

Is there still a risk at Halloween or other times of kids getting marijuana edibles? 

Though people may not be passing out marijuana edibles or other illegal drugs in Halloween candy, parents need to be aware if have them in their home that the items don’t get into the wrong hands, said Trnka. “They are marketed very similar to standard candy,” she said.  

The packaging looks very much like candy and can be confusing to kids, added Akron Children’s Hospital Adolescent Medicine Specialist Dr. Stephen Sondike. 

“Make no mistake — they are drugs and they are dangerous. They should be kept safely locked away in your medicine cabinet just like any other drug or medicine that you may have in the house,” he said. 

Teens may also take them to share with friends, said Trnka. 

Dr. Stephen Sondike is an Akron Children’s Hospital adolescent medicine specialist.

Symptoms you may recognize in a child who has ingested cannabis-infused edibles include agitation, apnea, panic and palpitations, said Sondike. 

“One reason so many people have a tendency to overdose on edibles is that it takes a while for a user to feel any effects of the drug. Smoking cannabis results in a much quicker high than ingesting it. Often, there is a tendency to keep taking more edibles and then when they finally kick in, there is a magnified response and the amount ingested can lead to an overdose,” he said. 

Decriminalization and the legalization movement makes cannabis seem safe to teens. But it isn't safe for developing brains and can affect a young user's ability to learn, he said. 

What is rainbow fentanyl? 

The rainbow fentanyl has come on the radar late this summer, said Dr. William Goldman, medical director of the Addiction Services Program at Akron Children’s. Goldman wrote a blog item for the hospital about the dangers of rainbow fentanyl.  

“Starting in about August, the DEA (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration) started informing us that this had come onto the streets, so we knew there were colors out there. The new movement was into fake pills, and they’re still making the fake pills that look like Percocets and oxycodone, but now they’re letting it be colored, just like the fentanyl is,” wrote Goldman. 

Dr. William Goldman ua medical director of the Addiction Services Program at Akron Children’s Hospital.

About four out of every 10 fake pills has a lethal dose of fentanyl in it, Goldman said. 

“We’ve seen an increase in emergency room visits related to what kids thought were their parents’ candy and then it’d be drug-infused candy,” he said. 

What can I do to make sure my child's candy is safe? 

It is still Important to inspect the candy and not let children eat it before parents have looked at it, said Trnka. If your children have allergies, watch for any candies that may trigger an allergic reaction. For little kids, remove any choking hazards or hard candies. Make sure to look at commercially wrapped treats for any signs of tampering or flaws in packaging, she said. 

“It's very rare that has happened, but look to see if there's any discoloration of the candy, pinholes or tears in the wrapper. When in doubt, throw it out,” she said. 

More:Ready to scream? Haunted house season is upon us in Northern Ohio

What are the biggest safety concerns for kids during trick or treating? 

"Halloween is the most dangerous night for kids,” said Trnka. “We see more kids who get hit by cars on Halloween night than any other night of the year.” 

Make sure to have kids use crosswalks and don’t dart out into the street in between parked cars. 

As drivers, be extra alert to watch for kids who might dart out into the street. This is especially important for new teen drivers, she said. 

Make sure the costumes fit the child well and will not pose a tripping hazard. Also, face paint is preferable to masks because costume masks can block a child’s vision.

Wear something reflective or carry a flashlight, especially after dark. 

Beacon Journal staff reporter Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her @blinfisherABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/BettyLinFisherABJ To see her most recent stories and columns, go to www.tinyurl.com/bettylinfisher