Kilkenny Garda warning as kids as young as three hospitalised after eating ‘cannabis sweets’
Children as young as three-years-old have been taken to hospital after they consumed cannabis infused sweets, Kilkenny gardai have confirmed.
Local gardai seized another batch of cannabis sweets during a planned search of a house in Carlow last week. This follows a similar earlier seizure in Kilkenny.
Gardai said there has been “a noted increase in the seizure of these types of drugs” in the Kilkenny-Carlow and Waterford divisions this year.
Parents are being urged to be vigilant of these types of sweets, which are packaged to look almost identical to well-known brands.
A local Garda spokesperson said: “The sweets are infused with THC which is psychoactive chemical. Any product infused with THC is controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977/1984, and their possession is illegal. It is an offence to cultivate, import, export, produce, supply and possess cannabis except in accordance with a ministerial licence. Any such seizures will be fully analysed and investigated.”
Gardai echoed a recent health warning from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) after a number of young people, some as young as three years of age, fell ill and required hospital treatment after consuming the cannabis sweets.
Anyone who becomes unwell after consuming drugs is advised to seek immediate medical assistance by dialling 999 or 112.
Anybody with any information in relation to possession or availability of cannabis sweets is asked to contact their local Garda Station, Garda Confidential 1800 666 111 or Kilkenny Carlow Dedicated Drugs Hotline 087 790 4885
