Drug-Infused Sweets Targeting Children? Fact-Checking the Claims
FactSeeker has observed a widely circulating social media post claiming that a drug in the form of edible sweets (Candy) is being used among students in schools. The post also includes a photo alleging that such a substance was recently found.
by Anonymous |
February 7, 2025
Since this post is being widely shared, FactSeeker investigated its veracity.
Upon analyzing the photo used in the social media post using Google Reverse Image, we discovered that the same photo had been published in news stories by international newspapers.
Further examination revealed that false news about this photo had been shared in various countries, and several international fact-checking organizations had already published accurate reports debunking it.
Further investigation into the photo revealed that it had been attached to a news item published by the UK-based news site The Sun in 2017. The article reported that four 13-year-old schoolgirls were hospitalized after consuming “teddy bear ecstasy pills” in Wythenshawe, England. It was also confirmed that the photo used in that news story is the same as the one currently being shared in Sri Lanka.
This confirms that the photo is related to an incident in England, not Sri Lanka.
Therefore, the social media post claiming, “The drug found in the school was in the form of candy eaten by children as Strawberry bubblegum… Your children are the target of drug dealers, not adults. Let’s be careful!” is false. The photo used in this post is connected to the 2017 incident in England, FactSeeker confirms.
