Bath Salts: A dangerous new drug trend Published Sept. 30, 2011 By Investigator Nicole M. Boucher AFOSI, Det. 102 HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- There is a dangerous new trend in street drugs that should have everyone concerned and on the lookout. Bath salts are emerging as a new way to get high by imaginative abusers, but "bath salts" labeled as Ivory Wave, Tranquility and Blue Silk are not products a bather would legitimately use to relax in a nice bubble bath. Although they are marketed "not for human consumption," they are being purchased with the intent to be snorted, injected or smoked by abusers, sometimes causing extreme reactions such as hallucinations, paranoia, suicidal thoughts, agitation and increased heart rate. Users have also experienced hypothermia, seizures and delusions. None of the chemicals found in these salts are contained in legitimate bath salts sold by a reputable company. Comparable to methamphetamine, cocaine and PCP, snorting bath salts can induce violent and aggressive behavior, which make users very dangerous to themselves and law enforcement. Bath salts are believed to be a mix of synthetic cocaine and a form of Ecstasy. Its main component, MDPV (3,4 Methylenedioxypyrovalerone), is a synthetic product of the drug pyrovalerone, a Schedule V psychoactive drug. Bath salts are generally sold in a 500 milligram package and can be found at head shops, truck stops, adult stores and online for $20 to $60. The effects, a euphoric high with a rush if injected, are similar to cocaine, Ecstasy or methamphetamine. It acts as an appetite suppressant while giving the user more energy. For these reasons, some high school and college students are now using bath salts because they believe it is beneficial for use at work or studying. The high from these drugs has been reported to last as long as three to six days. However, users reported side-effects from the salts, even after no longer consuming it. Side effects of bath salts include increased heart rate, insomnia, lack of appetite, anxiety, dilated pupils, fluctuation in body temperature, nosebleeds and nose burns. Long term effects of abusing bath salts include kidney failure, seizure, renal failure, hallucinations, severe paranoia and violent rage. Bath salts are not regulated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and may take years to be prohibited at the federal level. It appears that the states will need to take action to stop the legal sale of the drug. Many lawmakers are now considering banning these types of bath salts in several states. Recently, six chemicals found in bath salts (particularly mephedrone and MDPV) were placed on Louisiana's and Florida's controlled substances list, making it illegal in those states to sell or manufacture products with these chemicals. For military members, the use of intoxicating substances that are inhaled, injected, consumed or otherwise introduced into the body for purpose of becoming intoxicated, high, altering mood or function or achieving a psychoactive effect is considered a direct violation of Article 92 of the UCMJ. Failure to obey this order may result in disciplinary or administrative action including, but not limited to, trial by military court-martial, nonjudicial punishments under Article 15, reprimand, admonishment, administrative demotion, security clearance revocation and involuntary separation with an adverse characterization of service. More information on bath salts and other dangerously abused drugs can be found at www.nida.nih.gov/nidahome.html and www.drugabuse.gov/drugpages. There is a collaborative effort at Hanscom to combat drug use and drug related offenses. The Joint Drug Enforcement Team (JDET) from the Air Force Office of Special Investigation (AFOSI) and Security Forces Investigations (SFI) work together to combat drugs that affect Hanscom, its personnel and their families. Anyone with concerns or information pertaining to drug use on Hanscom may call Special Agent Chirs O'Neill or Investigator Nicole Boucher at 781-377-4605.