SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - It’s marketed as bath salts, but it’s not stuff you’d find at a spa or salon. The Drug Enforcement Administration is warning about this substance, calling it a dangerous drug. It’s popularity has grown over the past year so ABC 4 is taking action to find out what these bath salts really are.
We’ve talked about spice and the effects of salvia. Now bath salts are gaining popularity. It’s referred to as bath salts but they’re really a dangerous stimulant with effects similar to cocaine and meth.
We spoke to a one time user and drug addict now clean for two years who didn’t want to be identified, but he wants to take action and share his story so Utahns know about the dangers of these bath salts that nearly killed him.
After using them, he says, “It came to a point where my heart was beating very fast, my stomach became beat red, my face became so red you could actually see my face drying out.”
The bath salts can be purchased at most smoke shops and through the internet. Despite the disclaimer that reads “Bath aromatherapy. Not for human consumption” people still take the chance. Our user says, “It’s not sold at Bed Bath and Beyond. It’s obviously marketed under false pretenses as a stimulant.”
The DEA has named bath salts a drug of concern. An advisory states, “Effects include agitation, an intense high, euphoria, extreme energy, hallucinations, insomnia, and making abusers easy to anger.”
ABC 4 took action to find the local impact of this dangerous drug. The Utah Poison Control Center has received 16 calls relating to bath salts since August 2010.
Our user says he was hospitalized for four days after ingesting bath salts, and he doesn’t want anyone else at risk of losing their life to this substance. He says, “How could I have knowledge of this and not make people aware of it in case someone does? I feel it’s my moral obligation to tell others that even though it’s legal this is a very very dangerous drug.”
Bath salts cost between 15 and 50 dollars. It was banned in the United Kingdom in April of 2010. Several states in the U.S. are considering bans as well.
