The numbers behind the Auckland City Mission food parcel meth ‘lolly’ contamination

‘Lollies’ containing methamphetamine were unknowingly distributed in food parcels from the Auckland City Mission after being donated by an unknown member of the public.

Here’s what we know so far, by the numbers.

How much did each ‘lolly’ weigh?

Drug Foundation initial testing found a ‘lolly’ contained 3g of meth, a potentially lethal dose.

What is a normal dose of methamphetamine when consumed by mouth?

The foundation says about 10-25mg.

How many doses would one of these ‘lollies’ be?

About 300 times a normal dose, which the Drug Foundation says is potentially lethal.

How many people may have received these lollies?

300-400 people are being contacted by the Auckland City Mission.

How many people have said they found the lollies in their food parcel?

So far, eight families.

Did any children eat a lolly?

One child did, but spat it out immediately because of the bitter taste.

Did any City Mission staff eat a lolly?

Two staff tasted one of the lollies. They were offered medical help.

Has anyone been hospitalised?

So far, no one has been taken to hospital but the Drug Foundation says people who tasted one, even if they spat it out immediately, would have been affected by it.

How much is one of these lollies worth?

The Drug Foundation believes they would have a street value of about $1000.

How long did it take for the mission to get the word out?

It was two hours between staff being alerted by someone who received a parcel and the public being alerted.

A sample was brought to the Drug Foundation about 3pm Tuesday, multiple tests were done by 3.25pm and High Alert was contacted. Within an hour of the initial tests, Auckland Hospital, St John and the national poison centre were contacted.

How many of these lollies are out there?

There is an unknown number out there. Donated lollies are taken out of sealed packets and spread out in a mix across the food parcels, meaning that even a single packet of 20 may have contaminated numerous parcels.