Bath salts; you’ve likely seen this phrase linked with insanity, death, and most recently, zombies. Yes, zombies. This drug has recently made national news headlines in a gruesome story dubbed the “Miami Zombie Attack.” With all of the shocking headlines cropping up, this drug is becoming a threat that is impossible to ignore, but what exactly are bath salts?
Bath salts are a synthetic designer drug being sold under names such as Ivory Wave, Bliss, White Lighting, Vanilla Sky, and Amped. They have effects similar to synthetic cocaine or methamphetamine, and, needless to say, are very dangerous. Those who use bath salts experience high blood pressure, increased heart rate, hallucinations, extreme paranoia, delusions, psychosis, stimulatory effects, severe agitated behavior, seizures, coma, death, and suicidal thoughts. In fact, there were only about 300 cases of bath salt use reported by emergency rooms in 2010, but last year in 2011 that number increased exponentially and over 6,000 cases were reported.
Not only does a user of bath salts put themselves at risk, but they also put others in danger. In addition to the infamous “Miami Zombie Attack”, bath salts have caused violent psychotic episodes, deadly traffic accidents, assaults, and even murder.
This drug and the compounds used in its creation are now illegal due to a new, unanimously passed law, but some businesses and individuals still sell it illegally. Be conscious, be aware, and most of all, be careful. Share this information with your friends and family.
To get some more information on bath salts, go to www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/bath-salts-drug-dangers
To read more about the “Miami Zombie Attack”, go to www.examiner.com/article/zombie-attack-miami-fueled-by-bath-salts (be aware that some content may be disturbing/graphic.)