Kids Getting High on Bath Salts. Louisiana Bans Them

[sixmile]

http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=13795795



'Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal joined Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) and other law enforcement officials to announce that a series of dangerous chemicals being marketed as "bath salts" or "plant food" have been added to the Controlled Dangerous Substance Act, making it illegal to possess, manufacture or distribute them in Louisiana.

Since the end of September, officials say Louisiana Poison Control has received 165 calls from people in crisis after snorting, smoking or injecting these dangerous substances.

According to the latest figures, 85 percent Louisiana Poison Control Center calls reportedly came from emergency room doctors or first responders caring for individuals suffering the traumatic side effects of ingesting the fake 'bath salts'.

These types of crises are being reported across the country, officials said.

The 165 calls in Louisiana, reportedly represents nearly 57 percent of calls recorded nationwide.

State officials say those who use these fake 'bath salts' are reportedly being treated for extreme paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, agitation, hypertension, chest pain, headache, and many report suicidal thoughts.

Governor Jindal said the state is also sending a letter to the United State Drug Enforcement Agency requesting they investigate the number of cases in Louisiana to see if there is a reason to believe the state is a distribution center for the fake 'bath salts'.'

more at link

Goes along with Florida banning 'Incense':

http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2010/12/18/fake-pot-real-high.html

'ate last month, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced plans to outlaw certain substances used in what officials call "synthetic marijuana" -- blends of chemical-sprayed herbs sold near the food court in the Volusia Mall and in shops like Smith's all over the country. Enforcement of the ban is scheduled to begin Friday, or 30 days after the government announced it.

Many brand-name incense blends -- K2, Spice, Blaze and Red X Dawn are a few of the most popular -- will be outlawed for their banned ingredients.

But the teabag-sized packet of Lux -- featuring a bold sticker bearing the words "NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION" -- contains 3 grams of blended leaves, roots and plant extracts that can elicit a high when smoked. This is one route around the ban on "synthetic marijuana," and Smith said industrious chemists will find others by tweaking chemical compounds and creating new, nonbanned ingredients.'

more at link

Gee, kids want to get high - what's the world coming to?

[RockaFowler]

1. Why aren't they banning aerosols?/

I mean weren't kids getting high on that, too

Look, maybe these kids need some parents around them. Instead of banning things that the rest of us use properly, maybe parents should talk to their kids. Tell them - hey it's not good to get high. I thought that these Repuke dopes didn't like Government intrusion. Why all of a sudden do they want the government to control a perfectly legal product????

[rurallib]

2. damn nanny state republicans.

i thought they were all about freedom.

[NightWatcher]

3. What happens if kids start smacking themselves in the head with hammers to see stars?

DEA raids at Home Depot?

Just legalize pot already.

[canetoad]

4. There may be more to this

This stuff is not really bath salts, I gather that is a name given, much like 'Speed' or 'ecstasy'. BBC article here from Aug 2010.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/11055759
Tests in 2009 showed it contained a chemical called MDPV, a stimulant which was recently banned by the Government as a Class B drug.

But there's no guarantee that's what is in every packet.

Indeed, initial tests in Cumbria showed it was a chemical that forensic scientists had not seen before.

In theory, each packet of Ivory Wave could contain something different.

[provis99]

5. you can get high from gasoline fumes. Is Louisiana going to ban gas next?

There really is a nanny state, and it is fostered by the republicans.

[MiniMe]

6. Sometimes it is hard to regulate people from their own stupidity

[sixmile]

7. Regulations hurt business!

To grow we must shrink.
To evolve we must de-volve.

[Iggo]

8. They gonna ban alcohol, too?

I hear the kids like to drink every now and again.

[Warren DeMontague]

9. They should just ban people.

People are always doing things they're not supposed to. :shrug:

[dixiegrrrrl]

10. I think they should ban...bans.

There. Fixed it.