Federal Senate Passes Ban on Bath Salts

Today the Federal Senate passed leglislation criminalizing the production and distribution of synthetic marijuana and "bath salts" (the drugs, not the beauty product). It specificially targets chemicals the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has identified in these products such as methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) which is found in the "bath salts."

The passage of the law comes soon after a man in Miami, Florida continued to eat another man's flesh even after being shot several times. His behavior was blamed on "bath salts" but toxicology reports have not confirmed that yet.

If this is the first you are hearing about bath salts or are concerned about their side effects, here are some things you should know:

1) "Bath salts" the drug are not the same as what you purchase at a drugstore to soak your tired feet. Regular Calgon will not "Take you away."

2) Side effects of "bath salts" include but are not limited to: hallucinations, aggression, involuntary muscle movements, rapid heart beat, and paranoia.

3) If a person on "bath salts" receives medical treatment immediately they can recover. Treatment usually includes a benzodiazepine such as lorazepam (Ativan) which is used when people overdose on a stimulant.