Pubdate: Mon, 18 Jul 2011 Source: Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, WI) Copyright: 2011 Eau Claire Press Contact: http://www.cvol.net/contacteditor.htm#editorform Website: http://www.leadertelegram.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/236 AREA SHERIFF ISSUES DESIGNER DRUG WARNING BARRON - The Barron County Sheriff is warning about the danger of a new group of designer drugs called "bath salts," that have required six Barron County residents to seek emergency medical treatment this year. "Bath salts" contain the drug mephedrone, or MDPV, which is similar to ecstasy, Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said in a press release issued Monday. "Bath salts have proven to be very dangerous here and across the nation," Fitzgerald said. "Every batch can contain different variations and amounts of these drugs, making it hard to know how individuals will respond." These drugs previously were sold under such names as Ivory Wave and Bolivian Bath, Fitzgerald said, but as of July 1 it is illegal to sell such drugs in Wisconsin. Symptoms reported after use of this drug include agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, chest pain and increased risk of suicide," Fitzgerald said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.