“Bath Salts” 1

Street Names White Rush Cloud Nine Ivory Wave Ocean Snow Charge Plus White Lightning Scarface Hurricane Charlie Red Dove Blue Silk Zoom, Bloom Sextasy Purple Wave 2222

Designer High? “Bath Salts” are one of the newest designer drugs to hit the North American market in the past couple of years. “Bath Salts” have been described to have both stimulant like qualities as well as hallucinogenic attributes. It has been reported that the effects are 10x more intense then Cocaine. Because of the newness of “Bath Salts” there is limited and sometimes conflicting information surrounding the side effects. The euphoric sensation the users feel from this drug seems to out way the often times negative side effects. 3

How it’s Made! However, there are 3 main chemical ingredients used in the production of “Bath Salts”: Mephedrone MDPV Methylone “Bath Salts” are a designer drug created by street chemists, thus making it difficult to know what chemicals are contained in any given batch. 4

Legal?? Canada’s Health Minister announced that they will be listing MDPV which is one of the key ingredients in “Bath Salts” on Schedule 1 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. However, as of right now it is still legal. Putting MDPV the list will put it in the same category as heroin and cocaine, and regulating it will make possessing, trafficking, importing, exporting and producing MDPV illegal. 5

What is MDPV? MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone) is a synthetic cathinone. Cathinone is found in the East African shrub known as khat. MDPV acts as a stimulant and can have similar effects as amphetamines. MVPD has been reported to have cocaine like effect on the brain where as it acts as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor. 6

New Kid on the Block? Although MDPV and other cathinones have been used in the past as an appetite suppressant, their use as a recreational drugs is fairly new. The salt- or sugar-like clumps are marketed online or in retail outlets as "plant food" or "bathsalt” with to avoid regulation and drug control laws. Another important loop hole in the marketing is labelling them not for human consumption which by passes a many number of regulation. 7

Marketing 101 There seems to be no one set demographic that is targeted; however, it is speculated that the ease of obtaining “Bath Salts” through decriminalized means is part of its popularity. Unlike other street drugs “Bath Salts” can be purchased at local Head Shops and other such stores that sell drug paraphernalia. In Fact one can purchase “Bath Salts” from the comfort of your own home with the simple click of button. There is no real danger or seediness around obtaining this drug, as one would expect to do with other illicit drugs.No having to meet and rub elbows with real active and often dangerous criminals. 8

Are You in the Know? Due to recent crack downs on the sale of “Bath Salts”. Business’ have forced to become more creative. Although this store in Louisiana clearly states that they refuse service. They were busted just days later with a very large quantity of “Bath Salts” the purchaser just needed to know the correct way in asking for it. In the U.S. currently only a handful of states ban the sale of “Bath Salts”. The DEA has put a ban on the sale of the sale or possession of the three chemicals for a year while they investigate. 9

Steadily Rising In 2010 there was an estimated 303 calls received to Poison Control Centres concerning “Bath Salts” compared to 7,000+ received in 2012. It has been stated that there is currently no screening for “Bath Salts”, that unless a user tells you they have taken them then there is no way of testing due to the synthetic nature of the drug and is undetectable with routine urine and blood drug tests. Tests that detect both MDPV and mephedrone are reported to be costly, and the time frame to detect is limited to approximately 48 to 72 hours. 
 10

Method of Use “Bath Salts” can be snorted, smoked, injected but can also be mixed into alcoholic beverages. “Bath Salts” are sold in powder or tablet form to be primarily taken orally. The cost of “Bath Salts” ranges from $25- 30 for ½ gram package. The drug can take up to 30 minutes to take effect and can last approximately 6 hours. However, some users have claimed for the high to last longer. In comparison to other stimulants such as cocaine “Bath Salts” are more affordable as well. 11

Short Term Effects “Bath Salts” are known to produce side effects similar to Meth and Cocaine such as: Elevated heart rate Hypertension Irritability Extreme paranoia Delusions of super-human strength and invincibility Hallucinations 12

The Director at the Louisiana Poison Center, called bath salts "the worst drug" he has seen in his 20 years there. "With LSD, you might see pink elephants, but with this drug, you see demons, aliens, extreme paranoia, heart attacks, and superhuman strength like Superman" He also went on to say that if the user had a reaction it was always a bad reaction. 13

Long Term Effects Because of the newness of “Bath Salts” little if anything is known regarding its long term effects. However, the more the user does the worse the symptoms become. Extreme fatigue, depression, and paranoia and irritability are side effects that commonly reported when the drug begins to wear off. What is consistently reported that coming down from “Bath Salts” is worse then many other drugs which usually leads to re-dosing. Which just perpetuates the cycle. 14