Synthetic Cocaine Being Sold as "Bath Salts"

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

Synthetic Cocaine Sold As "Bath Salts" (CBS/WKMG)

ORLANDO, Fla. (CBS/WKMG/AP) Experts are warning parents about a synthetic drug labeled as "bath salts."

Don't let the label fool you.

The makers call it "bath salts" or "plant feeder" and it's sold under a variety of brand names, but experts say it's really fake cocaine.

According to CBS affiliate WKMG, the labels also usually say it's "not for human consumption" but in a drug alert sent in December, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency said teens are snorting it to get high. The DEA said it gives users euphoria and extreme energy, but they'll also appear agitated, suffer from hallucinations, or worse.

"Some people get even chest pain or cardiovascular collapse," said Dr. Josef Thundiyil, who works in Orlando Regional Medical Center emergency rooms and is a toxicologist. "It's appealing to kids because it is legal, because you can get it on the Internet. Whenever it's new and on the Internet there's the appearance that it might be safe, when in reality we actually don't know that it's safe."

It's also appealing to young people because the price is right - under $50 in most places. The DEA said the fake drug is sold in convenience stores, smoke shops, gas stations and online.

Doctors say parents need to watch their children closely for signs of abuse, because it does not show up on drug tests.

The synthetic cocaine has been prevalent in the United Kingdom for years, and was only recently banned after deaths were reported.

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by concernedCITIZEN18 June 6, 2011 9:37 AM EDT: for one i have to say that i was a rele bad drug addict meth && cocaine everday all day for about a year then a few things changed in my life and i was forced to stop...but had i not been forced i could of stoped wen ever i please...i choose not to because i enjoyed the feeling and it was always something to occupy my time with!!! regular plant based drugs are terrible for your body no question buti can tell you this this synthetic coke i started about 3 weeks ago and have been doing ever since...it does keep you up mostly but i have slept numerous times and it does make you less hungry but i have also been able to eat plenty!!! so why is it that cigaretts and alcohol and medication all mostly or completly man made are legal for any one to be "addicted" to and have caused birth deffects cancer leading death causes but a synthetic lesser version of an illegal drug becomes legal just like cigarettes medication and alcohol have become but now because a group of stupid ppl who obviously have done way too much in a close period of time have killed one person or over doesed and now ppl shun appon it...HOW ABOUT THE GOVERMENT WORRIE ABOUT THERE CIGARETTES AND ALCOHOL AND MEDICATIONS THAT ARE OFFING THOUSANDS of ppl A DAY AND WHEN THEY GET THAT UNDER CONTROL and make those iilegal to all then i can fully understand if this product where to be banned as well!!! BUT AS LONG AS DRUG DEALERS ARE the ones being put in jail rather then the shooters rapeist muggers EVERYDAY KILLERS are still yet to be locked up then i figure give the ppl something to do while they wait for there day to possible come!!!!!!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by crisomeara April 7, 2011 9:04 AM EDT: When are we going to talk about our real problem? Drug consumption is something we do not want to acknowledge, we blame the Mexican Drug dealers, the fake drugs, shouldn't we have to face it and talk about it? We think smokers are worse than drug addicts,drugs are fine in our society accepted by everyone it is trendy and fun, we see them on movies, rock stars talk about it as a normal part of their lives and they are our heroes! I just watched on TV, fake drugs are not safe, does it mean Real ones are? Please wake up, we have to face it, our big problem is the demand our country has for drugs, not the quality or the quantity we get from other countries, we are the problem and we are too proud to accept it.; Reply to this comment


by anotherLakinGirl January 22, 2011 1:10 AM EST: wow...pretty soon they'll discover, that, what with this economy, the average american canny afford to buy bath salts..sigh..; Reply to this comment


by Danielmountain January 19, 2011 3:23 AM EST: Overpriced items that never produce anything akin to a high.; Reply to this comment

by eqt147 January 18, 2011 7:47 PM EST

I'm shocked by the amount of misinformation in this story. How about you reporters actually do some research before posting incorrect information?

1. The "synthetic cocaine" is MDPV. It's not synthetic cocaine at all. It's an analogue of MDMA, better known as ecstacy. It's synthetic ecstacy, not cocaine. Completely different drug, completely different effects. I'm not sure why the author even mentioned cocaine since it's completely unrelated.

2. This is nothing new. A lot of research chemicals like mephedrone and MDMA analogues have been sold as plant feeders and bath salts. It's just one of the hundreds of chemicals out there.

3. "the DEA said it gives users euphoria and extreme energy, but they'll also appear agitated, suffer from hallucinations, or worse."

Hallucinations are a DESIRED effect. That's not consider "bad" or "worse". The hallucinations are the REASON people take the drugs. It's not like an undesirable side effect, it's the whole point of the drug.

I'm disgusted by the amount of crap they let news agencies like CBS publish. We need to start providing CORRECT information to the public, not poorly-researched lies.

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by smartshopmom January 21, 2011 4:45 PM EST: First without trying to sound like a know it all. I too am shocked by the
" misinformation" from you after putting down the reporters so harshly. Just stating the facts, YOU are mistaken. It is NOT MDMA .It is Methadrone.( it is not to be confused with Methedone) A drug more related to cocaine or meth in action even though it contains neither. They sometimes add lidocaine to it to give the numbing effect of cocaine. It can cause agitation, restlessness, paranoia, disrupted heart rhythms, audio hallucinations it can keep you up for days. While it can cause euphoria for many, the "come down" can be harsh causing deep depression for some, mild for others but at least a feeling of lethargic drained energy. It can also cause many severe problems and is very easy to overdose on. It was touted as
" Plant food " in the UK as well as here because it can be bought from a chemical research distributors plant as an experimental but it is labeled for research and not for human consumption . There were several deaths related to it over there and that is why it was banned. The " salt " appearance comes from additions to the very white and fine powder it is often cut with, such as things like baking soda, baking powder, lidocain, , baby Oral jell, and so on.
How do I know so much about the real facts? My brother is a sheriff's deputy and my husband works in the emergency room as well and I am an EMT.
As you said the reporters (and other posters .ahemm..clears throat? )should really check out the facts before posting incorrect information. I just hate it when people who think they know everything feel the need to put down others when they make the same mistake too. Have a nice day, and be nicer yourself, please.


by marandalaw January 18, 2011 4:55 PM EST: Oh--Please,,don't tell the Drug addicts this,,,They will be Fighting in the Stores; Reply to this comment

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