The LSD "Blue Star" Hoax*

A false rumor, which is believed to have originated in 1981, warns parents that LSD is being sold in the form of children's washable transfer tattoos. This rumor, which is usually referred to as the "Blue Star Hoax," warns parents that the LSD can be absorbed through the skin. Warning letters supposedly sponsored by police officials or parents groups have appeared often; however, no LSD-laden "tattoo" incidents have ever been documented.

LSD is often sold on various forms of paper, usually known as "blotter", or "blotter acid."** This form is the most common form of distribution and it is intended for oral ingestion. In the past, LSD manufacturers have placed (and continue to do so) pictures of Disney and other cartoon characters, as well as television characters, on the blotter paper. However, no evidence of a child being injured by touching an LSD-laden "tattoo" has been recorded, though hundreds of incidents of the "Blue Star Hoax" have been documented.

Notes:

* Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, “LSD Situation Report”, Washington, D.C., February 1992.)

** In its pure form, LSD is a liquid with no odor, color or taste. Because LSD is so powerful (measured in micrograms/ 1 microgram =one twenty-eight millionth of an ounce) it is diluted, then placed on a carrier. Besides blotter, two other common forms of LSD are “windowpane” (small squares of film or plastic) and “microdot” (tiny tablets, ~ 3mm in diameter). * Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, “LSD Situation Report”, Washington, D.C., February 1992.)