Halloween needle pens facing criticism

A Halloween novelty toy sold nationally, and even in Salisbury, is the focus of sharp criticism. It’s a pen resembling hypodermic needles.  Drug abuse prevention advocates and some parents want them off store shelves now.

Nathaniel Moss says, “It’s not suitable for kids to be playing with.”  

In Salisbury, they’re sold at Target, Spirit Halloween, and we’re told they’re sold out at Halloween City. Some parents think they’re a little too realistic, especially in light of the country’s heroin crisis.

Carrie Goff says, “You have little children that are trick- or- treating whose parents may be heroin addicts and they think that it’s going to be okay and it’s not.”

Moss says, “They might get it mixed up with their toy and there it is; diseases and everything else you know.”

Theresa Huffines agrees. She’s a therapist and social worker at Community Behavioral Health. She’s also the co- founder of Shoulder to Shoulder. They’re a group dedicated to fighting heroin addictions. Huffines is also the mother of a recovering heroin addict.

She continues, “Heroin is a huge epidemic in our county, in our state, in our nation, and people are dying. I’m flabbergasted that they would even be available.”    

There were 578 heroin-related deaths in Maryland in 2014. That is a 25 percent increase over the number in 2013. Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford is leading a task force to combat the issue.

Part of the solution surrounds educating youth. Huffines believes marketing these toys is sending kids mixed messages. 

She goes on, “You’re desensitizing them to the fact that it’s okay to see a syringe. That should be a flag to them. That young child should know I’m seeing this syringe and I need to get an adult.”

A spokeswoman for Target says the company appreciates the feedback, but the store is leaving the pens on the shelves.

47 ABC also reached out to the corporate offices for Spirit Halloween and Halloween City this morning. We are still waiting for a response.