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Dear Editor,

The Charlotte County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office have an important message to share with our fellow citizens this Halloween.

First, if you are driving while our young folks are out and about Trick or Treating, please drive carefully and be alert for both children and parents.

Second, parents closely observe the treats your children receive. As many of you are already aware, Fentanyl is a highly addictive and deadly drug that is now being produced and packaged to have the appearance of many of our children’s favorite candies. So please know and trust the people you allow your children to take candy from and discard any candies, especially brightly colored ones, that are packaged loose and not in the original producer’s packaging. Rainbow fentanyl, as it is called, in many instances looks almost identical to candies such as Nerds, Sweet Tarts, Skittles and Gummies among others. Additionally, be aware that Rainbow Fentanyl is also now being disguised in a substance having the appearance of colored chalk similar to the “sidewalk chalk” used by our children.

Lastly, please, as always, be cautious for our children’s sake and have a very Happy Halloween.

Bill Green, Commonwealth’s Attorney

Leslie Schneider, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney

Royal Freeman, Sheriff