Pubdate: Thu, 27 Sep 2012
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2012 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/letters.html
Website: http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Clara Ho, with files from the Canadian Press
Page: B1

POLICE LAUD 'BATH SALTS' DRUG BAN

'I'm thrilled,' chief says of new rules

Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson is applauding the federal
government's move to ban the key ingredient in the street drug known
as bath salts, saying it allows officers to finally crack down on dealers.

"I'm thrilled," Hanson said. "Too many people were selling it, they
were bringing it into the country. This is going to allow us to take
the steps that are necessary to endeavour to put a stop to the sale of
that."

The compound MDPV, a synthetic substance that's been around since the
1960s, has been placed in the same category as cocaine and heroin.

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said she sought the ban after health
officials raised concerns over health and safety risks associated with
abuse of the drug - named for its resemblance to the harmless bath
additive.

Before the federal ban, the compound was sold as a legal product - as
herbal treatment, incense, plant food, fertilizer, insect repellent,
pond cleaner, even vacuum cleaner fresheners - and was widely
available online.

It comes in power form and can be snorted, ingested, pressed into a
pill or capsule, inhaled, smoked, and used as eye drops or nasal
spray, said Calgary police.

Symptoms include foaming at the mouth, rapid breathing and quickened
heart rate, overheating, resisting treatment, muscle pain, incoherent
speech, combativeness, hallucinations and other mind altering properties.

"It is an awful drug and yet it was being sold as something that's not
illegal yet, or it can't be that bad if it's not against the law,"
Hanson said.

"Well, now it is. It's going to allow us to take some pretty proactive
steps in getting it off the street."

Calgary police investigated two reports of bath salts this summer,
though at this time, neither case has been positively linked to the
drug.

In June, the parents of a 21-year-old man called police with concerns
their son had used the drug. Police backup had to be called to help
subdue the man, and a police officer injured her hand in the struggle.

About a week later, a naked man seen smashing his face against a fence
was also suspected to be high on the drug.

"We haven't seen the proliferation that they've seen in some places in
the U.S., but we have seen (the drugs) here," Hanson said.

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police welcomed the ban, calling
it "an important step in stopping organized criminal groups from
acquiring and profiting from this illegal substance."

The compound can be used in legitimate research if authorized by
regulation.

Officials warned the public not to confuse the street drugs with
household bath salts, Epsom salts or scented crystals.
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