Pubdate: Sat, 11 Aug 2012
Source: Cumberland Times-News (MD)
Copyright: 2012 Cumberland Times-News
Contact:  http://www.times-news.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1365
Ayuthor: Jeffrey Alderton

BATH SALTS: A 'VERY BAD PROBLEM'

Synthetic Drug Use Causing Alarm Among Local Officials

CUMBERLAND -- Eight bath salts incidents in the city since June and 
an average of one case per day being treated at the emergency 
department of the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center has caused 
alarm for officials throughout the community.

Bath salts are in the news nationwide. And now they are the topic of 
a growing local conversation.

The synthetic drugs have effects similar to amphetamines and cocaine 
but are often packaged with the warning "not for human consumption."

Bath salts -- which are sold over the Internet and in various retail 
locations under multiple names -- are being used as drugs that can be 
inhaled, ingested, smoked or injected. The bath salts are legal to purchase.

The unforeseen medical and psychological problems stemming from 
ingesting bath salts as an experimental drug are many, including 
cardiac and circulatory disturbances, agitation, delirium, paranoia 
and psychosis. The agitation and delirium may persist for days to 
weeks, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

First-time users may get by without any complications. But that 
doesn't mean the drug will not take over the user's life. It will, 
sooner or later, according to the experts. And sometimes, it is too 
late to reverse the damage.

State's Attorney Michael Twigg called the local sales and use of bath 
salts a "very bad problem."

"It's very bad and I find it despicable that people will sell them 
knowing what they will be used for and its effect on the user. Bath 
salts have different impacts on different users and it's really a 
wild card and that impact can have long-lasting effects, both 
medically and psychologically," said the county's chief prosecutor.

Twigg said local vendors are being monitored for immediate action if 
Maryland law determines they are selling anything with illegal ingredients.

"People that produce these bath salts will alter the ingredients to 
stay one step ahead of the legislation," said Twigg. "It's a 
constantly moving target."

If bath salt vendors are determined to be selling an illegal 
substance, they face charges of possession of a controlled dangerous 
substance, with penalties upon conviction ranging from five to 20 
years depending on the CDS substance that was being sold.

Officials believe public education and awareness to the dangers of 
bath salts is vital to fight the local bath salt problem.

"This is a big priority for us. People will make the assumption, 
whether you are talking about synthetic marijuana, bath salts, etc., 
if you can purchase legally that they are safe to use. But from what 
we are seeing nationwide, that is clearly not the case.

"We have notified anyone who sells these bath salts that they will 
bear the responsibility of their illegality on any given day," said Twigg.

In 2011, poison centers nationwide responded to more than 13,000 
calls related to synthetic marijuana and bath salts with 60 percent 
of the cases involving patients 25 and younger. In 2010, poison 
centers nationwide responded to about 3,200 such calls, according to 
the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Since early June -- when Cumberland Police Lt. David Biser, criminal 
supervisor, sent out a department-wide email about the illegal use of 
bath salts -- there have been eight complaints in the city directly 
dealing with bath salts.

"The majority of individuals we have dealt with regarding bath salts 
have been between the ages of 25 and 50. To date, we have not 
encountered any juveniles illegally using bath salts," said 
Cumberland Police Chief Charles Hinnant.

On May 14, Cumberland Police were called to the Western Maryland 
Regional Medical Center to assist West Virginia State Police with a 
38-year-old woman who was brought to the hospital for evaluation. She 
had displayed extremely erratic behavior, was suicidal and combative 
and had to be restrained by hospital staff. That incident "was the 
first documented exposure our officers have had to someone under the 
influence of bath salts," the chief said.

At the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center, treating patients 
for the effects of bath salts has reportedly become an almost daily 
occurrence in the Emergency Department.

"These drugs have profound effects on the central nervous and 
cardiovascular systems, similar to other stimulants such as ecstasy 
and amphetamines. The degree of response varies depending upon the 
dose and can range from euphoria and increased alertness at small 
doses to hallucinations, agitation, paranoia and erratic behavior 
after higher doses," said Dr. George Garrow, the Western Maryland 
Health System's chief medical officer. "The effects on the 
cardiovascular system can include tachycardia, hypertension, 
increasing the risk of stroke and acute myocardial infarction."

Management of patients with bath salt toxicity is driven by the 
symptoms. As with any patient, the airway, breathing and circulation 
are evaluated and any immediate life-threatening issues promptly 
corrected. These patients are often agitated, combative or in some 
other way dangerous to themselves or others. All responders and 
health-care providers must be prepared to protect the patient and themselves.

Maryland State Police Capt. James R. Pyles, commander of the Western 
Troop consisting of barracks in Allegany, Garrett, Washington and 
Frederick counties, shared his perspective.

"Bath salts are having a disturbing effect on our communities. Our 
youth who avoid illegal drugs because of the possible criminal 
consequences may well be tempted or coerced into using bath salts.

"As a parent, initiate ongoing conversations with your child about 
how bath salts are produced and how dangerous and lethal this drug 
is. Together you and your child can educate yourself about the 
treacherous effects and the strategies of producers to attract young users.

"The law enforcement community all has a share in the responsibility 
to save the lives of our young people. I can assure you that the 
Maryland State Police is doing everything possible to combat the use 
and distribution of bath salts," said Pyles.

Sheriff Craig Robertson is working diligently to combat the bath salts problem.

"Our biggest weapon now is educating parents and students about the 
dangers of bath salts and synthetic marijuana. It's very scary stuff. 
Users may hallucinate and some have been subdued only by three or 
four officers needed to control the situation."

The sheriff said he is attempting to partner with a local business to 
produce a video presentation that would include interviews of health 
care workers who have treated bath salts users and parents of a child 
who suffered from bath salt use. The video could possibly be 
presented in schools.

Town hall meetings are also being considered by the sheriff to inform 
the community about the dangers of bath salts.

A spokesman at the Allegany County Health Department said, "We have 
been collaborating with the Western Maryland Health System and local 
law enforcement to further evaluate this problem and bring community 
awareness."

In January, the Allegany County Board of Education and the county 
health department along with law enforcement held a press conference 
warning the public about the use of K2, synthetic marijuana and 
bathsalts. The primary focus of the conference, however, was on the 
use of synthetic marijuana.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom