America's latest drug high: Snorting 'bath salts'

Washington, Jan 25 (ANI): America is facing a new drug problem in the form of bath salts that are being sold under names like 'Ivory Wave', 'White Lightning' and 'Hurricane Charlie'.

But they are not like normal bath salts, which are poured into bathtubs, as they are to be snorted, smoked or injected, and users are getting high off of them, Fox News reported.

According to poison control centres and other law enforcement agencies, the Drug Enforcement Administration does not regulate these substances and they are under federal scrutiny.

The reason they have not been made legal is because the effects of these salts are comparable to methamphetamine abuse.

The powders often contain mephedrone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone, also known as MDPV, and can cause hallucinations, paranoia, rapid heart rates and suicidal thoughts.

The chemicals are in products sold legally at convenience stores and on the Internet as bath salts and even plant foods, and a small packet of the chemicals typically costs as little as 20 dollars.

Law officers say some of the substances are being shipped from Europe, but origins are still unclear. (ANI)