Editorial Comment: The more we hear about bath salts, the more we realize that we need to know more about it. It is become a growing problem and those using it do not realize the danger they are putting themselves is.
US Bath Salts Are UK’s Plant Food
by Cheryl A Hinneburg
There was a time when drug addiction meant someone was hooked on cocaine or heroin, plain and simple. It was terrible and many died, but at least people knew what they were dealing with and it was cut and dry. The newer generations have brought a whole new meaning of drug addiction to the table. There was the date rape drug, then Ecstasy, huffing, and the designer drugs. K2 and bath salts are still ripping through the headlines of most newspapers and now people have to worry about Mephedrone. This is better known on the streets as miaow-miaow, 4-MMC, Bounce, Bubble, Charge, Drone, M-Cat, MC, Meow Meow, Meph, and White Magic.
Mephedrone is a potent stimulant and it is a very popular designer drug that is running rampant in the UK. It can be purchased legally from the Internet, head shops, and music festivals. It is just as popular as marijuana, ecstasy and cocaine. People are calling it “plant food.” It is illegal to sell the compound for human consumption. This sounds a lot like, almost identical to the problem in the US with bath salts. There are even reports that while under the influence of Mephedrone a man tore his own scrotum off. There are reports of at least 20 other deaths associated with Mephedrone abuse.
Mephedrone is part of the cathinone family. This drug mimics amphetamines or speed mixed with methamphetamine and ecstasy. This is pretty new so long term consequences are still left to the imagination. It is sure to be really bad since even short term use is calling for hospitalization. The week of June 28th, 2012 saw the death of two 19 year old teens that were high on Mephedrone. A few months ago a 49-year-old woman died after taking the substance.
Mephedrone does have some very unpleasant side effects such as a rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, anxiety, paranoia, and it is associated with an increased risk of seizures. It causes nose bleeds, hallucinations, vomiting, and a loss of blood circulation. Over half of those who take the synthetic knock off report headaches, heart palpitations, and a blue color to their extremities.
Mephedrone is a white powdery substance. It can be snorted, injected into the veins, taken orally, or inserted into the rectum. Currently, the UK is keeping Mephedrone in a legal status but it has been banned in Norway, Germany and Finland.
Cheryl Hinneburg is the content writer for KLEAN Treatment Center, located in West Hollywood CA. She is also working on her MS in substance abuse counseling. Cheryl has a BBA from Baker College. Cheryl’s specialty is in the field of drug addiction.
http://www.kleantreatmentcenter.com/http://www.kleantreatmentcenter.com/addiction-info/bath-salts-abuse/
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Editorial Comment: This is a great article detailing bath salts. As more and mre states here in the US ourlaw it we will probably see more use as those still using see it as a good thing if it is outlawed. They do not realize that it is being outlawed for safety reasons.
