Officials in 25 states are growing concerned about alarming numbers of adolescents and others ending up in emergency rooms and mental hospitals after intentionally snorting, injecting or smoking "fake cocaine," a powder legally sold as "bath salts," and are proposing bans.

   R. Gil Kerlikowski, Director of National Drug Control Policy, released a statement in early February following reports indicating the emerging threat of these synthetic stimulants.

   Sold under such names as Ivory Wave, Red Dove, Bliss and Vanilla Sky, law enforcement officials and poison control center staff say the effects of the stimulants the powders often contain (mephedrone, and methylenedioxypyrovalerone, also known as MDPV) are a central nervous system stimulant that is not approved for medical purposes in the United States, and provide for users a cocaine-like high. The chemicals in these bath salts can cause hallucinations, paranoia, rapid and irregular heartbeats and suicidal thoughts, authorities say. The chemicals are in products sold legally at convenience stores and on the Internet as bath salts and even plant foods. A small packet of the chemicals typically costs around $20.

   The Director's statement reads: "I am deeply concerned about the distribution, sale and use of synthetic stimulants - especially those that are marketed as legal substances. Although we lack sufficient data to understand exactly how prevalent the use of these stimulants are, we know they pose a serious threat to the health and well-being of young people and anyone who may use them. At a time when drug use in America is increasing, the marketing and sale of these poisons as "bath salts" is both unacceptable and dangerous. As public health officials work to address this emerging threat, I ask that parents and other adult influencers act immediately to discuss with young people the severe harm that can be caused by the use of both legal and illegal drugs and to prevent drug use before it starts."

   Several state leaders have introduced legislation to ban these products, including New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer who plans to announce a bill that would add those chemicals to the list of federally controlled substances. Other states working on a ban include Hawaii, Michigan, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, and North Dakota. Several counties, cities, and local municipalities have also taken action to remove these products from store shelves.

   To keep up to date on this and other emerging drug threats visit the HOT TOPICS link on the home page of our web site www.cadyinc.org.

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