Police Warn of New Drug Disguised as Bath Salt

Here's an announcement from the :

A new drug is on the market and may enter your home in the disguise of a premium bath salt.

Unfortunately, a comfortable bath may be the last thing “Eight Ballz” bath salt and others like it are used for. These “bath salts” reportedly contain the synthetic compounds methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and mephedrone.

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the compounds are related in structure to illegal substances such as MDMA (ecstasy) and methamphetamine. The salts are ground up and sniffed in order to produce a “high.”

A quick Google search on bath salts will reveal a large amount of information on the drug, the most disturbing of which is how quickly the drug’s use has progressed across the country and how many lives have been lost. Many states have banned the synthetic stimulants contained in bath salts and a number more are rushing to pass appropriate legislation. However, the salts are not illegal in California.

The drug has received the attention of the White House. Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of the National Drug Control Policy, was quoted as follows in a recent press release:

 "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.”(ONDCP)

Doctors and clinicians at U.S. poison control centers report that ingested bath salts cause increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, agitation, hallucination, extreme paranoia and delusions. The incidents of extreme paranoia are most problematic — many people reportedly experience a break with reality and commit suicide.

As of June 30, poison control centers have fielded 3,740 emergency calls about the use of bath salts. (AAPCC) 

The Livermore Police Department has not recognized this national trend locally as of yet; however, we have found “Eight Ballz” bath salts are being sold in the city. We continue to monitor the situation and encourage local businesses to remove the drug from their shelves.

Please educate your children on the dangers of ingesting bath salts and be on the lookout for their use. Included is some information that will help you recognize bath salts containing synthetic stimulants and some of the symptoms of influence.

Bath Salt brands:

"Red Dove," "Blue Silk," "Zoom," "Bloom," "Cloud Nine," "Ocean Snow," "Lunar Wave," "Vanilla Sky," "Ivory Wave," "White Lightning," "Scarface,” "Hurricane Charlie,” and “Spice.”

Symptoms of influence:

Elevated blood pressure, headache, insomnia, extreme irrational paranoia, hallucinations, psychosis, dizziness, pupil dilation and difficulty breathing.

Editor's Note: Newark Police Department Commander Bob Douglas said he is unaware whether this is a trend seen in Newark but that the problem of bath salts is that it is not considered a drug at this time and thus is not controlled.