Cartoon-themed LSD bust prompts vigilance warning to parents and schools

Authorities have warned parents and schools to be vigilant after customs officers intercepted a shipment of LSD blotter paper printed with colourful cartoon designs that was allegedly destined for Thailand. The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and the Customs Department said traffickers were increasingly using eye-catching artwork on blotter paper to package synthetic drugs, raising concerns they could appear harmless or attractive to children and teenagers. LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), a Category 1 narcotic, is commonly distributed on small squares of blotter paper printed with colourful designs or cartoon characters. Users consume the drug by placing the paper on the tongue, where the LSD is absorbed. The warning follows the seizure on July 21 of 529 LSD blotter stamps from Germany, with an estimated street value of more than 200,000 baht, in an alleged attempt to smuggle the drug into Thailand. The agencies said LSD is a powerful hallucinogen that can distort perception, impair judgement and trigger anxiety or paranoia. They warned that users may be at greater risk of accidents or other harm while under its effects. Parents were urged to educate children about illicit drugs, discourage them from accepting unknown items from strangers and report suspicious substances to the authorities. They were also encouraged to have open conversations about the risks of drug use.