SCHUMER LEGISLATION TO BAN DEADLY 'BATH SALTS' PASSES UNANIMOUSLY OUT OF KEY SENATE COMMITTEE
Schumer Legislation Would Add MDPV and Mephedrone to List of Controlled Substances and Stop Legal Sales of So-Called 'Bath Salts' in United States; 34 States, Including New York, Have Already Banned Substance
Bath Salts Sold Online and at Convenience Store Counters Pose Deadly Risks to Kids and Teens; Schumer Says Consequences of Delaying Ban are Too Grave
Schumer: We've Taken a Major Step in Banning this Highly Toxic and Deadly Drug
Last week, United States Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed his legislation to put in place a national ban on the deadly synthetic narcotic known as "bath salts." Schumer bill adds MDPV and mephedrone, the key ingredients of bath salts, to the list of controlled substances making their possession and sale illegal in the United States. The Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act of 2011, would ban the increasingly popular and dangerous drug that is easily obtained online, in convenience stores, and in smoke shops throughout the country. Bath salts 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. Schumer said that today's unanimous vote clears the way for passage of the bill - which has bi-partisan support and 13 Senate co-sponsors - by the full Senate. Schumer said that with similar legislation moving through the House of Representatives, the bill is set to become law.
"Bath Salts are a deadly narcotic that get displayed and sold at store counters and smoke shops like candy at a convenient store," said Schumer. "This bill will remove these dangerous drugs from the reach of our kids and make it clear to manufacturers that if you try to peddle this deadly toxin, you will be held accountable."
Bath Salts are 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. In one case a user was reported to have resorted to self-mutilation after abusing the substance. In several cases, users have died after overdosing or because of violent behavior.
The two synthetic chemicals, MDPV and mephedrone, are uncontrolled substances with no known medicinal purpose. The harmful impact of these powders have been recognized around the country, and 34 states, including New York, have banned the substance. Countries around the world have also banned the substance, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Israel.
Schumer's legislation would make bath salts illegal in the United States by adding the active ingredients, MDPV and mephedrone, to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, which classifies drugs that are illegal and cannot be prescribed under any circumstances.
Today's passage in the Senate Judiciary Committee, clears the way for a vote on the Senate floor. Companion legislation passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee this morning.