RAYSAC urges parents to talk about dangers of bath salts with their teens
Bath salts: Dangerous Drugs in Disguise
“Ivory Wave,” “Purple Wave,” “Vanilla Sky,” and “Bliss” — all are among the many street names of a so-called designer drug known as “bath salts,” which has sparked thousands of calls to poison centers across the United States. The bath salts are said to be as powerful as abusing methamphetamine or cocaine.
According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, the number of calls related to bath salt exposure received by poison control centers across the country increased by more than 20 times in 2011 alone, up from 304 in 2010 to 6,138.
Communities and the public at large need to be made aware of the potential dangers associated with the use of these drugs. Drug abuse and overdose continue to grow as a public health concern. Parents need to talk to their youth about the dangers and health risk of these synthetic stimulants. Research shows that young people are less likely to use drugs when caring adults talk to them about the dangers and health risks.
Are bath salts illegal in Virginia?
You can find them in mini-marts and smoke shops sold as Ivory Wave, Bolivian Bath, and other names. The people who make these products have skirted the laws that make these types of things illegal. Legislation strengthening the criminalization of synthetic designer drugs passed the General Assembly on April 18, 2012 and will be signed into law July 1, 2012.
The effects of bath salts can be severe!
Very severe paranoia can sometimes cause users to harm themselves or others. Effects reported to Poison Control Centers include:
- Suicidal thoughts
- Agitation
- Combative/Violent behavior
- Confusion
- Hallucinations/psychosis
- Increased heart rate
- Hypertension
- Chest Pain
- Death or serious injury
The speed of onset is 15 minutes, while the length of the high from these drugs is four to six hours. However, the effects can last for weeks. Bath salts are extremely addictive. Not only can you easily get addicted after using small amounts, but bath salts containing amphetamine-like chemicals can cause lasting brain damage and serious physical side effects.
– Submitted by Kathy Graham Sullivan, RAYSAC Director
May 24, 2012 - 6:00 AM
My 36 yr old son used Bath Salts for about 2 months before he took his own life on June 2, 2011. They found his body 2 days later. We asked him how he was losing all this weight. He just said, I will tell you about it later mom….its ok….I won’t get in any trouble. When he finally told me what it was, I googled it, and quickly called him back to warn him not to touch it…he said he researched it and said it was legal and that he would look more into it….2 weeks later he was dead. I never took any drugs, or alcohol….His father was an alcoholic. We think Denny developed this addictive behavior from his father…I just wish that I could have saved my son……too little….too late…We are grieving still.
im so sorry to hear about ur so.ive been there with the bath salts i recently got treatment couldnt look at myself anymore .it was one of the hardest things i ever had to do .im clean now tryin to get my life back on track its been sooooooo hard because u can go to the store and buy this shit. as of july 1 it will be illegal, thank god.maybe u will never have closer for ur sons death but maybe u can see it in ur heart that that wasnt him that was the devil.he wouldnt of made that decision if he wasnt on that nasty stuff.i know when i ran out and didnt have means for no more i didntwanna live either but no that ur son wasnt by himself i no thata it wont take the pain away i lost my son 4.4 years ago he was 4 months old it is the hardest thing u will ever do ur not suppose to burry ur kids ur kids are suppose to burry u .iknow the pain and heartache and greiving will be better to handle one day. it will never go away complely but it will get better to deal with .go to group conseling agout the bath salts and preach about the wrongs of that stuff. maybe if you hear how they got there and the effects of it maybe just maybe it will make u understand more in detail what he was goin through.hope this helps again so sorry to hear about ure son may god come into ur heartand start the healind process.siqning off,summer everson