Blue star tattoo legend

Propagation

The legend commonly surfaces in American elementary and middle schools in the form of a flyer which is distributed to parents by concerned school officials. In the past it was often in the form of poor quality photocopy, clearly many generations old, but it has now also become popular on Internet mailing lists and websites.

The legend states that a temporary lick-and-stick tattoo soaked in LSD and made in the form of a blue star (the logo of the Dallas Cowboys is often mentioned), or of popular cartoon characters, such as Mickey Mouse and Bart Simpson, is being distributed to children in the area in order to get them "addicted to LSD" (see ).

Generally some attribution is given, typically to a well-regarded hospital or a vaguely specified "advisor to the president", and instructions are given that parents should contact police if they come across the blue star tattoos.

Origin

The legend possibly originated from the fact that an LSD solution is sometimes sold on blotter paper with various designs, including cartoons.

No actual cases of LSD distribution to children in this manner have been documented. Although LSD does not penetrate through skin in sufficient quantities so as to induce a psychedelic experience, the concern was over children licking the tattoo paper before transferring to the skin.

Other countries

The legend has surfaced in many other places, including:

• Brazil
• Hungary
• Italy
• Peru
• Mexico
• Portugal
• Sweden
• UK
• Germany
• Canada

References

References

1. Mikkelson, Barbara. (2007-01-28). "snopes.com: LSD Tattoos". Urban Legends Reference Pages.
2. (9 December 1987). "Flyer Says Drug Is in Rub-On Tattoos : LSD Warning Spreads Panic". Los Angeles Times.
3. (24 December 1988). "Hoax of the LSD Tattoos Has a Long History". The New York Times.
4. (16 November 2001). "Drugs scare over kids' fake tattoos".