Educators Worried by Trend of Snorting Candy

Alabama drug educators say they're concerned about a new trend among some children that involves crushing certain types of candy and then snorting or inhaling it.

Carol Williams, project coordinator of the Shelby County Drug Free Coalition Project Safe Place Programs of Family Connection Inc., says children are literally inhaling sugar into their bodies.

Williams said children either crush candies or using already powdered candies such as Pixy Stix or powder drink packets such as KoolAid and snort them into their noses.

She said inhaling dust into the nasal cavities can lead to infections in the sinuses or upper respiratory system.

She adds that some children do it to mimic the act of smoking a cigarette.

The Birmingham News reports the trend is known as "smoking Smarties."