A total of 8,059 students 18-25 years
of age from 23 Indiana colleges participated in the Indiana College Substance Use Survey conducted in Spring 2021.
Risk and Protective Factors
What Will They Think of Next? "Bath Salts"
- Details
- Published on March 01, 2011
"Bath salts" are a new and upcoming drug craze but these aren't typical bath salts as the name suggests. These "bath salts" are unlicensed and unregulated drugs being sold throughout the country at gas stations and convince stores. It seems that these bath salts were never intended to be used in the bath at all, some being labeled "not for human use." Common names for these fake bath salts are; Ivory Wave, Ocean, Scarface, White Dove, and Cloud-9.
These "bath salts" are actually synthetic stimulants that people have been smoking and snorting to get the feeling of being high. Taking these bath salts is supposed to give the user a stimulant effect that mimics those of cocaine, ecstasy, and even Ritalin. The user may become irrational, irritated, and often times violent. The acute side effects of MDPV include hypertension, vasoconstriction, sweating, and even tachycardia. Depending on the individual these side effects can last as long as eight hours after first ingesting these drugs. Many people who have taken these drugs often report panic attacks, bouts of psychosis connected with sleep deprivation, and addiction to these drugs. MDPV (3, 4-Methylenedioxtpyrovalerone), the active chemical in these drugs can also cause extreme hallucinations. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, there have been 251 calls to the poison control center so far this year regarding "bath salts." This number already exceeds the 236 calls received by poison control centers for all of 2010. Although, the DEA has yet to ban these stimulants, some states have already taken action on banning MDPV. These states include Florida and Louisiana due to the Gulf Coast being hit the most by these drugs. The DEA lists MDPV as a "drug and chemical of concern" and for further information on MDPV and its side effects visit: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugs_concern/mdpv.pdf
Resources
http://www.npr.org/2011/02/08/133399834/florida-bans-cocaine-like-bath-salts-sold-in-stores
http://www.alternet.org/drugs/149541?page=2
Remarks by White House Drug Policy Director Kerlikowske at Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America National Leadership Forum
