High on Bath Salts?

They are not the bath salts you use in your bath.

These "Bath Salts," are a new and very popular designer drug that the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is hoping to make illegal in the U.S. In September of this year, the DEA invoked its emergency scheduling authority to make them a controlled substance, and its sale has been banned in 35 states, as the National Poison Control Center has reported more and more calls about this drug. In an article written by Ann Bryant of Maine's Sun Journal, Deputy Chief of Farmington's Police Department Shan Cote reported that 303 calls for bath salts exposure were made to poison control centers in 2010, and that more than 5,000 calls have been made so far in 2011.

What are bath salts?

These bath salts are synthetic stimulant/hallucinogens similar to ecstasy and PCP. They were initially made in France in the 1920's , seen in Europe in the late 2000's, and here in the U.S. during the last few years. It has a number of harmless-sounding names such as Ivory Wave, Purple Wave, Oblivion Bath, Vanilla Sky, Bliss, and Snow White. Their proper names are mephedrone, MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone), and methylone. They are found in mini-marts, smoke shops, and often appear as small bags of crystal white or brown powder. In the past they could be found in convenience stores and head shops next to the 5 Hour Energy products.

Why the name?

They have been marketed at "plant food" and "bath salts" and labeled as "not for human consumption," to avoid being made illegal. While it is banned in many states, it will take a federal law labeling them as a schedule 1 drug ( no medicinal value with a high potential for abuse) to officially declare bath salts illegal. For now, in some areas a small envelope of the drug can cost $25 to $50.

Are bath salts addictive? How are they taken?

It's not currently known if they are addictive but like other stimulants they are expected to cause cravings. It is snorted, injected, and mixed with food and drinks.

What does bath salts intoxication look & feel like?

One's blood pressure and pulse will rise. While high you may feel euphoria, confidence, experience increased alertness, focus, and productivity. The downside consists of depression, anxiety, aggression, delusions of superhuman strength, and a rise in body temperature causing many to remove their clothing. The downside continues with as one can become agitated, paranoid, experiencing hallucinations and suicidal thoughts. Users have been reported to be unaware of a broken limb, and to have damaged ambulances and hospital rooms.

Suicidality has been known to be ongoing after the stimulatory effects have dissipated, and suicides were reported days after use in the media.

Bath salts are part of a trend of drugs designed and named such that they are legal and thus easily obtained for long periods before detected by law enforcement. We must remain vigilant.