Drug dealer action figures on sale at Toys R Us have been removed from stores and online after widespread criticism from parents.
The figures depicted characters from the television series Breaking Bad, in which a chemistry teacher decides to manufacture and sell the drug crystal meth.
One US parent started a petition calling for the toy shop to stop selling the figures altogether.
Dangerous
Susan Schrivjer, from Fort Myers, Florida, launched an online petition describing Toys R Us’ decision to sell the toys as “a dangerous deviation from their family friendly values”.
The petition, which called for the retailer to “immediately stop selling the Breaking Bad doll collection in their stores and on their website”, reached over 9,000 signatures.
Schrivjer said of the show, “its violent content and celebration of the drug trade make this collection unsuitable”.
Exposure
She argued that parents and grandparents should not be forced to explain why a certain toy comes with a replica bag of drugs.
Schrivjer also questioned why “someone who sells those drugs deserves to be made into an action figure”.
Parents also took to the Toys R Us Facebook page to say that they did not want their children to be exposed to drug dealing.
New low
One post read: “Nothing says toys for kids like an action figure with a bag of crystal meth”.
Another described selling the toys as a “new low” and urged the toy shop to “have just a morsel of common sense and decency”.
The figures, which were sold in the Toys R Us collectable section, have been removed with no explanation from the chain.
Addiction
Recent research shows that drug addiction amongst children is on the rise.
Children receiving treatment for cannabis addiction is at a record level, according to recent figures.
Statistics released by Public Health England in June showed that more than 13,500 children under the age of 18 received medical treatment for drug addiction last year.