"Bath Salts" are a new deadly form of methamphetamine

Suncoast Rehabilitation Center, a drug-treatment facility in Spring Hill, Florida is in full support of the State’s ban on “Bath Salts”, the newest designer drug and drug of choice by Florida’s youth.

This synthetic form of methamphetamine, are legally sold at convenience stores, specialty smoke shops and on the Internet.  

“Bath salts” that go by names as Vanilla Sky, White Rush, Blue Silk, TranQuility and others promise an "invigorating" and "energizing" experience.  This substance is not the one commonly used in the bath and the experience is anything but soothing.

They come in powder form that can be snorted, smoked, swallowed or injected. The symptoms caused by their use include hallucinations, paranoia, rapid heart rates, nosebleeds, severe paranoia, suicidal thoughts, seizures, kidney failure and death.

In December, the DEA listed a chemical, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), found in some of the bath salts as a drug of concern. MPDV stimulates the central nervous system and the federal agency is studying the drug. The chemical reportedly has caused intense panic attacks, psychosis and addiction, according to the DEA, which has no current plans to ban it.

The psychotic effects of the some of these products are what make them so dangerous, said Dr. Cynthia Lewis-Younger, director of the Florida Poison Information Center in Tampa. "It makes people lose touch with reality," she said. "They're ending up in psychiatric institutions."

As the ban on synthetic marijuana is in the works due to its harmful physical effects, Suncoast fully supports the ban on “bath salts” and will diligently support its illegal status which legislators will be voting on in the coming months.

Suncoast Rehab Center is dedicated to getting people off drugs naturally without the use of substitute drugs.  At SRC we have a high, long-term success rate in helping people overcome their addiction and remain drug-free. 

For more information on substance abuse treatment or for information on Suncoast Rehabilitation Center and its program, contact us at 800-511-9403 or visit our website at www.suncoastrehabcenter.com