Public Health Concern Grows Across America

Just like those bath salts mom use to put in her bath to relax are now also being used as a recreational drug across America. This new drug can be injected, smoked, snorted and could lead to long term dangerous harmful outcomes.

Poison Control Centers across the nation have already received 2.237 calls concerning this toxic substance referred to as "bath salts". In 2010 only 302 calls had been placed. These figures according to American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC).

The AACPCC sees this new recreational drug as a growing problem with no relief in sight. The center further notes that this new drug can cause heart rate to speed up, hallucinations, raised blood pressure, agitation, delusions and extreme paranoia.

Just last year this new drug of choice was noted vastly in the media. Among the related news on this drug came a range of stories noting how dangerous this new drug of choice was for people who had used it.

One story noted a Mississippi man who stated he became high off these salts and then proceed to slash his own face and stomach. By sure luck he had survived the dangerous effects however, others are not so lucky.

Emergency room staff has remarked that people coming into the ER under the influence of this substance usually are high and violent. This leading to overnight hospitalization. In some instances psychiatric help is required due to the dug making the person disconnected from reality.

Mark Ryan, Director of Louisiana Poison Control states this product is the worse he has seen in the last twenty years at the poison control center.

These products are being sold by various retail outlets which include head shops, gas stations tobacco outlets, online and more. These products being sold are under several names in which include: Hurricane Charlie, Ivory Wave, Blue Silk, Cloud Nine, White Lightening and Zoom.

Bath salts do contain manmade chemicals such as mephedron. These substances are much like khat, an organic stimulant in Arab and Eastern African countries and are illegal for sale in the United States.

Currently 28 states have banned bath salts these include New York and Main.

It was announced on July 3rd that Michigan has banned the sale of this highly addictive dangerous drug "bath salts". Just since February of this year 70 people in Michigan have been treated after using this recreational drug.

Poison Control Center In Detroit:

4160 John R Street #616

Detroit

313-745-5711

Poison Control Emergency

1-800-222-1222

Sources:

Medical NewsToday

The State Column

Michigan Radio