New ‘bath salts’ drug now being controlled

By Daniel L. Bamberg

A new drug has been making its way into the hands of children but state health and law enforcement officials are acting quickly.

In 2010 the drug referred to as “Salvia“ was marketed across the state as a incense with the knowledge growing more common that drug abusers were using this substance to get high and hallucinate.  After state health officials declared the drug unsafe it was made illegal.  Now comes a new concept.  A drug referred to as “Red Dove, Vanilla Sky, and Bliss” among other names has been marketed across the state and the U.S. recently as a bath salt.  Yet, this synthetic substance is not being used for healthy soft skin.  It is being used to inhale in powder form as a hallucinogenic drug. 

Much like salvia these “bath salts” have been causing users to accidentally kill themselves presumably due to visions or notions that only exist within the state of hallucination.  It was these situations, which eventually led to state officials banning salvia in 2010. 

Also like salvia these bath salts are being purchased in tobacco shops (head shops), some convenience stores or online.  To make it worse these purchases can be made without the buyer presenting any form of identification.  In other words, it was being marketed and sold to teenagers.

Attorney General Luther Strange expressed in a news conference on Monday, February 21 that other state law enforcement officials have spoken about teenagers who were jumping off balconies and other high objects because they thought they could fly.

The following Tuesday, Alabama Health Officer Don Williamson explained that these bath salts would now be added to the Alabama Controlled Substance List.  This now makes it a felony crime to possess, manufacture, or distribute. 

“These powdered stimulants poses a serious health threat and have a great potential for abuse,” said Williamson.  “This is another drug in a growing trend of synthetics marketed as legal products.” 

State law enforcement officials have expressed a sense of encouragement that these products are being controlled as quickly as they come out.

“When you take this drug you have a chance of dying,” explained Bibb County District Attorney Michael Jackson.  “We’re cracking down on this right away.”