DEA Names "Bath Salts" a Drug of Concern
There's a new designer drug that's raising alarm with authorities around the country. It's referred to as "bath salts," but it's really a dangerous stimulant with effects akin to cocaine or meth.
While relatively unheard of just a couple of years ago, its use is on the rise and it's believed to have caused at least four deaths around the country.
So what exactly are these new drugs -- and just how dangerous are they?
CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton explained these substances are not about spas or baths.
Special Section: Dr. Jennifer Ashton
Dr. Jennifer Ashton's Twitter page
She explained, "The name sounds harmless. In reality, they are anything but harmless. These contain a designer or synthetic drug, mephedrone or MDPV. It's an amphetamine. They're marketed as bath salts and you can find them online or in stores under names like Zoom 2 or Aura. Our producer found them very easily in New York City. When she asked for them, she was told, 'Wow, they're flying off the shelves. It's a good thing you're getting these.'"
Hill added, "One of our researchers was told these will get you really high."
But what exactly do they do?
Ashton said, "It's a central nervous system stimulant, so it will increase your blood pressure, increase your heart rate, can cause anything from chest pain, heart attack, stroke. Those are just the physical symptoms. Some psychological (symptoms include) delusions, paranoia, psychosis. They're highly addictive, very dangerous."
Ashton noted these substances have been reported to the Poison Control Centers by 33 states.
"Part of the reason why this has gone undetected and under the radar up until now is because they're relatively new. And if you look it at the numbers in 2009, there were no reported cases to Poison Control Centers in this country. (In 2010,) that number jumped to 236. This year alone, we've ready surpassed that with 248 cases. And remember, that's just what's reported."
Hill asked why there isn't more control on these substances.
Ashton replied, "I guarantee you there will be. In fact the (Drug Enforcement Agency) DEA has already labeled these drugs a drug of concern. And there is legislation occurring right now to make them controlled substances. Again, these things take time. You just see those that time period, two years is 24 months, and for the DEA to start investigate a drug, they first need to hear reported cases, then they need to get their scientific medical communities, as well as legal ducks in a row, if you will, and that takes time. But this is by no mistake a dangerous substance and we probably will be hearing a lot more about it."
But this isn't the only substance that is of concern, according to Ashton.
"This is just one in a growing list of substances readily available online or in stores," she said. "Just because they may come there synthetic substances or natural substances does not mean they are safe. They are potentially life-threatening."
Copyright 2011 CBS. All rights reserved. While relatively unheard of just a couple of years ago, its use is on the rise and it's believed to have caused at least four deaths around the country.
So what exactly are these new drugs -- and just how dangerous are they?
CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton explained these substances are not about spas or baths.
Special Section: Dr. Jennifer Ashton
Dr. Jennifer Ashton's Twitter page
She explained, "The name sounds harmless. In reality, they are anything but harmless. These contain a designer or synthetic drug, mephedrone or MDPV. It's an amphetamine. They're marketed as bath salts and you can find them online or in stores under names like Zoom 2 or Aura. Our producer found them very easily in New York City. When she asked for them, she was told, 'Wow, they're flying off the shelves. It's a good thing you're getting these.'"
Hill added, "One of our researchers was told these will get you really high."
But what exactly do they do?
Ashton said, "It's a central nervous system stimulant, so it will increase your blood pressure, increase your heart rate, can cause anything from chest pain, heart attack, stroke. Those are just the physical symptoms. Some psychological (symptoms include) delusions, paranoia, psychosis. They're highly addictive, very dangerous."
Ashton noted these substances have been reported to the Poison Control Centers by 33 states.
"Part of the reason why this has gone undetected and under the radar up until now is because they're relatively new. And if you look it at the numbers in 2009, there were no reported cases to Poison Control Centers in this country. (In 2010,) that number jumped to 236. This year alone, we've ready surpassed that with 248 cases. And remember, that's just what's reported."
Hill asked why there isn't more control on these substances.
Ashton replied, "I guarantee you there will be. In fact the (Drug Enforcement Agency) DEA has already labeled these drugs a drug of concern. And there is legislation occurring right now to make them controlled substances. Again, these things take time. You just see those that time period, two years is 24 months, and for the DEA to start investigate a drug, they first need to hear reported cases, then they need to get their scientific medical communities, as well as legal ducks in a row, if you will, and that takes time. But this is by no mistake a dangerous substance and we probably will be hearing a lot more about it."
But this isn't the only substance that is of concern, according to Ashton.
"This is just one in a growing list of substances readily available online or in stores," she said. "Just because they may come there synthetic substances or natural substances does not mean they are safe. They are potentially life-threatening."
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This is proof that the people who conduct this witch hunt are blithering idiots. Cigarettes kill 400,000 a year and no mention of that?
Losers, complete and total losers.
I've tried it more than once. Wish that I never had too. When my folks found out they wanted to diss-own me, kick me out.
My big question is what is all in it?? I know methonome is the key ingredaint dunno about the sp. Research shows that the methonome used to be acutaully an anti-depressant. I think it came from China in the 1920's. So that's my big question what all is in it. Five years down the road it may not be more dangerous than Salivia. People just don't know about it.
Yes it's makeing people go into drugged pyschosis. Just innocent teens I supposse. Take care everyone, frankys.
http://www.k2info.org
You'rte probably a disgruntled meth dealer.
I use bath salts lightly, daily, and have absolutely no difficulties whatsoever. I am more alert, friendlier, aware, and productive than I am without it (and I CAN go without it without noticing any side effects besides maybe wishing I could feel like being super productive again since it's so much easier to get things done...) I am a frequent consistent user, get good grades in college, hold a job, compete semi professionally in a sport, and do many other things you wouldn't think were possible on something so "horrible"...
So when's it bad?
It's BAD when people start snorting lines of it regularly, and it's BAD when people start stringing day after day together of no sleep. If you look at any case like the ones of suicide or people just going batshit crazy I promise you would find one or both of those variables.. OF COURSE you're gonna start losin ur **** if you don't sleep day after day after day and keep using bath salt to feel "normal"....Yes, if I want to I can stay awake for days at a time, but I don't because I don't do any anywhere near bedtime. I get up at 7AM every morning for work rested and after a hint of bath salt I'm ready to tackle the world. I also avoid caffeine. Bath salts also made me completely lose the desire (which, trust me, was a strong one) to smoke dope or herbal incense, as well as quit chewing tobacco.
Bath salt aren't the problem. It's the people that use it. I sincerely feel sorry for those who have seen pain in their lives because of it, but it's because they or their loved one either did way too much, missed out on too much sleep, or both. Yeah I'm sure like with anything there are some cases which are exceptions (one of which being that the user had a few lose screws in the first place_, but I can promise that this will most always be true. I'm not promoting bath salts, I'm just sick of reading about how terrible it is when it is only terrible if used with ignorance. Use alcohol with ignorance and you'll end up just as bad or worse most of the time and I'm sure many who are so against this have no problem with that. Not starting a drug dispute here, just giving all the info I have from my own personal experience.
And FINALLY (if you only read one of these, this is it)
_ In closing, I just want to say that my heart does truly go out to those who have felt pain and sadness in their lives because of Bath Salts. Maybe if they would have had something to tell them something besides that its terrible and not to do it, things could have been different. I dont mean this as a promotion at all, but you have to face the fact that people are going to do what they want to do. If one person sees this beforehand and is able to use it positively instead of going into a downward spiral, then this rant has done it's job. I gotta get to bed for work though like I said before, and remember: If you ARE going to use it (which, only do if you know that you can control yourself with something that can easily get out of control if abused, and I highly suggest staying away if you have a mental illness or might a have mental illness) always remember it doesn't take much. More might make you feel a (very) little amount more of its effects but I promise, you will regret the taking more when it wears off plus pissing it away gets expensive fast. Also remember that you NEED sleep, and I would suggest not doing it after 5 PM if you want a solid night of sleep. If you HAVE to stay up for a whole night for some reason, fine, do it, but don't make a habit of it. And DONT replace the feeling of a night's sleep with Bath Salt, this is a bad plan that will add u p against you very quickly.The effects it has on sleep shrink over time but should always be observed. I have gone at most 3 nights straight no sleep (in my early stages with Bath Salt), and I've heard stories ranging from one night to a week) and have started to notice some of it's very negative capabilities then. If you feel tired as hell from no sleep, don't recharge with bath salt. You WILL start going crazy as these people preach below. Deal with it until you can crash and then you will feel better. I would put my heart on any test and I would put my physical condition above an average teenager, but still, if you are gonna use it , just be smart. I just did a lot more for people than telling them everything horrible that it does.It would be because of my posts that more of yours dont happen. I've "been around the block" and I'm telling you I'm speaking the gospel as to what needs to be done if you decide to use bath salts. If you don't, great for you. But it's stupid to just shun it because that makes more interest than fear. Although to you , your words may be the most sincere thing ever, to others it is just words on the internet. Not meaning to offfend by any of this at all, just trying to prevent. What if your friend, son, daughter etc had read my post before going and trying these things?? Just use your brains ,people.I have an IQ of 150 and was president of my class, look good, feel good, and you would never believe I do this stuff, because, well, I do it right. Thanks for reading
PS, already getting questions about what specifically it is that I use... IIt's called Loco Motion and has the same general active ingredient in it as most of these. Again if you have some mental problems as it is, this will just make them worse, although I was diagnosed at an early age with ADHD and works for me quite similarly to ADHD meds because yes, it's an upper. The final word, is it a good idea or recommended? No, not at all. If I had faith that people would respect it and have the ability to regulate their use of it though, this may be different, but that is up to the user. It is not all negative until you abuse it to the point of such. As I said, substance abuse is the problem, not the substance, and if this prevents one case of what people are reporting below this, then I've fulfilled my purpose in writing it. The dangers of it's excessive and incorrect use are clear but that doesn't stop people from wanting to do it, and doing it. If you don't want to and have your reasons, great, but if you are going to, either follow my advice and thank me later or don't and wish you had.
Question for anyone reading this:
How many times have you driven your car home and don't remember driving home?
How many times have you had to ask a friend what happened last night?
These are only a couple of questions you might have asked in your drinking career. There are many more that can be asked to prove that you are probably an alcoholic drinker. Before you start saying certain drugs should be illegal take a good look at how society has brain washed you.
I don't agree with these new synthetic drugs and I think they are garbage and these types of people should be prosecuted. But I don't think marijuana is a gateway drug. In my opinion, it should be legalized way before alcohol or any other drugs. Parents out there, "Teach Your Children Well". Also, I am very sorry for all of the loses that parents out there have undergone. My deepest sympathy to all.
You think that is how you can tell if you are an alcoholic? You don't have to "forget what happened last night" in order to be considered an alcoholic.
If you are coming home every day from work, and having drinks, you're an alcoholic. If not yet, you soon will be. My uncle only drank on the weekends because of work, but he couldn't go without drinking on the weekends. He was classified as a "weekend" alcoholic.