Sen. Casey Calls for Ban on ‘Bath Salts’

Supports Legislation Adding Chemicals to List of Controlled Substances

WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is supporting legislation to add MDPV and mephedrone, synthetic chemicals being sold across the country and marketed as “bath salts” and “plant food” to the list of controlled substances. The chemicals have a similar effect on the body as cocaine and methamphetamines. The dangerous ingredients in the salts, MDPV and mephedrone can be snorted, smoked and injected to receive a deadly high.

“There is ample evidence that these so-called bath salts are a dangerous substance being used like meth or cocaine,” said Senator Casey.  “Action needs to be taken to get bath salts off the shelf and out of our communities.”

There have been numerous reports of bath salts being linked to violent behavior and deaths. An individual in Scranton charged with attacking a priest was reported to be high on bath salts at the time of the attack.

The Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act (S.409), introduced by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), would immediately add the ingredients in bath salts to the list of controlled substances.  While the United States Attorney General and the Drug Enforcement Administration have announced they are currently investigating the effects of the synthetic drugs, this legislation would immediately add the synthetic drug to the list of controlled substances rather than waiting for the lengthy pharmacological research process.

MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone) and mephedrone are the main ingredients of these so-called ‘bath salts,’ and are now being sold online, at convenience stores and in smoke shops under names like Tranquility, Zoom, Ivory Wave, Red Dove and Vanilla Sky. According to numerous reports, the chemicals found in these bath salts and plant foods cause effects similar to those caused by cocaine and Methamphetamines, including hallucinations, paranoia and suicidal thoughts.

The two synthetic chemicals, mephedrone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone are uncontrolled substances with no known medicinal purpose. The harmful impact of these powders has been recognized around the world and countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Israel have acted quickly to ban these substances.  Similarly, several states, including North Dakota, Florida and Louisiana have now banned the sale of these chemicals within their jurisdictions.