A new home made drug known as “bath salt” has become wildly popular amongst young people who are searching for a cheap and legal high. Poison control centers around the globe have reported a rapidly growing numbers of calls regarding this synthetic stimulant. More and more places are banning the drug, but, there is currently no federal law prohibiting its sale. If someone is addicted to bath salts, it is very dangerous and has series health consequences. They should seek help immediately.
Classification
Many people are catching on to the fact that these designer drug manufacturers are using clever semantics to skirt regulation. Thankfully, this is becoming less prevalent as parents are petitioning to get these dangerous drugs out of their local corner stores and gas stations. Yet, bath salts are still readily available for purchase online from various retailers. Bath salts are mainly comprised of MDPV and pyrovalerone. It is not completely understood what else is being put in these drugs because they are not regulated.
Where To Find Bath Salts
Retailers are marketing the drug as bath salts and labeling them as “not safe for human consumption”. This is in order to avoid them being classified as illegal. They can be bought at local mini-marts and smoke shops around the world under sold under names like Ivory Wave and Bolivian Bath. While many states have banned the sale, ultimately it will have to be a federal law that gets them off the shelves and out of the hands of the population.
Status of Legality
The government would need to classify bath salts as a schedule 1 drug to make this happen. This schedule status states the drug has no medicinal value and comes with a high potential for abuse. The United States Drug Enforcement Agency has recently invoked its “emergency scheduling authority” to expedite this process. The DEA plans to define the possession and selling of bath salts illegal in the United States. This short-term action will remain in effect for one year, during which time the government is expected to call for permanent ban.
What They Do
There are many different side effects that a person can experience by using bath salts. Some of the most common side effects of bath salt usage are agitation, paranoia, and severe chest pain. There is also a high probability of heart issues including increased heightened pulse rate and high blood pressure. It is a fair and accurate comparison to say that the side effects of bath salts are similar to the side effects of cocaine or ecstasy.
There has not been enough conclusive testing on the designer drug yet to determine what long-term effects it may have on a person. Currently, acute toxicity is the main dilemma being faced by the medical community. If you think you may be dependent to to bath salt you should seek a young adult drug treatment program immediately.
