Amid Nationwide Scare, New York Bans ‘Bath Salts’ Stimulants
Reported May 26, 2011
The synthetic drugs known as “bath salts” — which can pack the punch of cocaine or methamphetamines — have been outlawed in New York state.
The move highlights the scrambling by state regulators around the country to try to rid the marketplace of the powdery stimulant, which has been blamed for hundreds of hospitalizations, and even some deaths.
The Albany, N.Y., Times Union said that New York’s state health commissioner, Dr. Nirav Shah, imposed the new ban by issuing a rare Commissioner’s Order, and he declared the drugs “a growing and dangerous threat to public health.” The prohibition takes effect immediately.
It bars the sale and distribution of the stimulant, which typically is sold at convenience stores and on the Internet. The so-called bath salts are marketed under such names as White Lightning, Snow Leopard, Tranquility, Zoom, Ivory Wave, Red Dove and Vanilla Sky.
According to the New York State Department of Health, the drugs can cause hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, suicidal thoughts and violent behavior. Chest pains, elevated blood pressure and increased heart rates also have been reported.
In 2010, the Times Union reported, U.S. poison control centers took 302 calls about the substance, but so far this year the number has skyrocketed, with centers fielding more than 2,200 calls.
Sen. Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, has introduced legislation that would impose a nationwide ban.
Credits: Christine Young and for more details check out at http://www.fairwarning.org/2011/05/amid-nationwide-scare-new-york-bans-bath-salts-stimulants/
