Terrace RCMP responded to an incident on a Thornhill trail this week after a four-year-old girl was reported to be found playing with drug paraphernalia.
Police seized and confirmed the substance inside a brightly-coloured container tested positive for methamphetamine or ecstasy during preliminary tests and are warning the public to be more careful with their children outside.
To warn parents and caregivers online, a Facebook user posted a photo and description of the object her daughter discovered on the ground on Tuesday, November 5. She writes her child thought it was a toy and examined it “as any curious little child would.”
When it appeared to not be a toy, police were called to investigate.
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“It’s important for adults to always look around to see if there’s anything that could catch a child’s attention,” said RCMP Cst. Crystal Evelyn wrote in an email.
“This sort of occurrence is unfortunate, but serves as a good reminder to talk to your kids about being careful about touching found property,” says Evelyn. “It never hurts to ask an adult if something is safe before playing with or touching it, just double-check and make sure it is what it appears to be.”
The mother who posted the photo echoed a similar warning, writing: “We cannot be carefree when out with our precious children in Terrace anymore. Times have changed and this is a serious warning to all parents and caregivers – always check the found or play area for drug paraphernalia”.
Other Facebook users commented, sharing similar experiences of finding drug paraphernalia in the area.
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natalia@terracestandard.com
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