Monday, November 28, 2011

Florida Teens Using New Methods to Consume Alcohol

St. Petersburg Criminal Attorney and Former State Prosecutor Melinda Morris of the Morris Law Firm discusses how Florida underage teens are using candy to covertly consume alcohol.

Issue:

Teenagers, students, and underage individuals throughout Florida have created a new method to ingest alcohol – through the use of gummy candies.  These candies, also known as “boozy bears” or “drunk gummies” are gummy bears and gummy worms that have been saturated with alcohol.  They look and appear just like regular gummy candies; however, they can be very potent and dangerous.

Teenagers are creating the drunk gummy bears themselves by saturating the gummies in intoxicating liquor, such as vodka or rum.  After soaking in the alcohol, the gummies increase in size, but otherwise appear to be regular gummy candies.




Why This Matters To You:

The gummy candies mask the taste and smell of liquor, so many parents or adults don’t realize juveniles are consuming alcohol.  Teens can eat several of the laced gummy candies without feeling the effects of alcohol immediately; the effect generally takes about an hour to kick in.  This can result in over-consumption of the candies, as teenagers will eat more before becoming aware of the strength of the gummy candies.

Juveniles in Florida are taking the gummy candies everywhere, from school to parties to walking down the street.  This can ultimately result in criminal charges for underage alcohol possession or criminal charges for minor in possession of alcohol (MIP).  Additionally, any juvenile who eats the gummy candies could be charged with zero tolerance driving under the influence (DUI) if they operate a motor vehicle after they consume any of the candies.


What To Do Next:

If you have been charged with a juvenile DUI or underage alcohol possession in Tampa, contact a St. Petersburg Juveniles Crimes Lawyer to discuss possible defenses and specific strategies that may exist in your case.  Call the Morris Law Firm at 727-388-4736 to discuss you case directly with an attorney, or fill out our Online Form to be contacted for a Free Initial Consultation.  The Morris Law Firm can help.  Attorney Melinda Morris has specific knowledge and experience in representing juvenile offenders throughout Pinellas County the entire Tampa Bay, FL area (St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa, Hillsborough, Pasco, Manatee, Sarasota and Bradenton).

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