The Harahan Police Department’s recent offer to screen methamphetamine for the Zika virus has captured the attention of social media and news outlets across the globe. In a Facebook post, the department encouraged meth users to bring all of their drug to police for free testing. Police Chief Tim Walker acknowledged the post was a stunt to bring attention to the issue of drug use.
“We have a drug problem in this country, and it needs to be addressed. Parents need to watch what their children are doing, who they are hanging with, and what they are doing with their free time,” said Walker.
Walker said the social media post has already received over 500,000 views in the two days since it was posted.
“The population (of Harahan) is about 9300 to 9400, so when you get a half a million hits from around the world, it’s interesting,” said Walker.
Walker admitted there is no meth actually contaminated with the Zika virus. But has anyone been gullible enough to take him up on the offer of testing meth?
“Not yet, but you never know. I’ve seen some strange things in all my years of law enforcement, so nothing would surprise me,” said Walker.
