Hallucinogenic bath salts soon may be given the boot in Maryland. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has started a monthlong investigation into the synthetic recreational drug as it tries to discover how prevalent use of the hallucinogenic chemicals is in the state.
“This is something that’s been a big problem throughout the country. We’re trying to get ahead of the curve
and make sure it doesn’t become a big problem here in Maryland,” said Dr. Tom Cargiulo, director of the Maryland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration.
Virginia lawmakers banned the bath salts earlier this year.
Bath salts can be ingested, snorted, smoked and injected, and have a psychedelic effect on the user, Cargiulo said. Paranoia and confusion can last for days, sometimes weeks, and individuals who use the drug have been known to try to hurt themselves, and in some cases others.
Maryland poison control centers received two calls concerning the bath salts in 2010. So far this year, the center is aware of 22 cases of bath-salt-related poisoning, including one death.
The drug is typically sold over the Internet and in small shops and gas stations. The health department hasn’t found many shops in Maryland that sell them, Cargiulo said, though it’s currently legal to do so.
“We’re actually trying to find out where you can find it in Maryland. Luckily so far it’s not readily available,” Cargiulo said. “But people think that because it’s legal, it’s safe.”
Enhanced screenings at emergency rooms and the state’s poison control center will help determine how widespread the use of bath salts is in the state.
If the active compounds in the drug – methylenedioxypyrovalerone, or MDPV, and 4-methylmethcathinone, or mephedrone – were added to the list of banned substances in Maryland, bath salts effectively would be illegal to sell or possess.
“We must be vigilant about new and potentially deadly threats to our communities,” said Gov. Martin O’Malley. “I support the state health department’s effort to investigate this concern and look forward to receiving the results of the investigation.”
