Bath Salts — The New Drug Of Choice? Wednesday, March 9th, 2011 1:19 pm | by cadfy

Experts Say Bath Salts, Methamphetamine Share Similar Effects

By 10 News

Published February 3, 2011

 

SAN DIEGO -- Politicians and medical experts are hoping to spread the word about a legal drug some are calling "the new meth."

 While it is often marketed as bath salts, there is nothing soothing about the latest synthetic drug that has proved to be dangerous and deadly.

 With names like "white widow" and "lust," experts say its popularity is catching on.

Experts say the drug acts like methamphetamine, but produces more potent hallucinations, psychosis and extreme aggression even after the drug has left the body.

"A lot of people that have used it and have experience with it say that it is more addictive than a regular methamphetamine is and there's a lot more violent behavior associated with it," said Dr. Richard Clark, medical director of the San Diego Division of the California Poison Control System.

"I won't do it; I seen them go nuts," said Ocean Beach resident Darlene Clark.

Clark said she witnessed a friend taking the drug.

"He threw his guitar in the fire pit last night on a wheelchair," said Clark.

Other cases across the country have been deadly.

A 21-year-old man shot himself in Louisiana last November after a three-day psychotic trip.

Experts said suicidal behavior with this drug is common.

California Poison Control System officials say abuse of the drug has been limited, with seven reported cases statewide over the past four months. However, it is a spike they have never seen.

Late last year, the Drug Enforcement Administration moved to temporarily ban five chemicals used to make fake marijuana. Both political and medical officials are hoping they do the same for this latest craze.

"It's being sold as something not for human consumption, but of course that's what the people buying it are intending to do," said San Diego State University research director James Lange.

Experts say too often people judge safety based on legality. Until the drug is controlled, experts urge citizens to beware.

"They are just using themselves as a Guinea pig and the outcome may not be great," said Lange.

The California Poison Control System is preparing a proposal that pushes to make bath salts illegal in the state.

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