BATH SALT AS A DRUGBATH SALT AS A DRUGBy Kathy RuckerBy Kathy Rucker

Photo by Photo by http://weeklyworldnews.com/headlines/42801/flesh-eating-bath-salts/http://weeklyworldnews.com/headlines/42801/flesh-eating-bath-salts/

Bath salts are a powder made of amphetamine-like chemicals, such as methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MPDV), mephedrone and pyrovalerone, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

•Once sold legally online and in drug paraphernalia stores, users mostly snorted or swallowed it to get high.

•Recently, injection has become a more popular route, because it delivers the drug's effects faster and more powerfully. The Drug Enforcement Administration made the drug illegal in September. (ABC News, 2012)

Any random facts, historical aspects, or projected future Any random facts, historical aspects, or projected future outlook/scope of the disease?outlook/scope of the disease?

The drugs now known as Bath Salts were first synthesized (artificially created) in The drugs now known as Bath Salts were first synthesized (artificially created) in France in 1928 and 1929. Some were originally researched for potential medical France in 1928 and 1929. Some were originally researched for potential medical use, but most of the drugs created were unsuccessful due to severe side effects, use, but most of the drugs created were unsuccessful due to severe side effects, including dependency. Abuse of these drugs started in the former Soviet Union in including dependency. Abuse of these drugs started in the former Soviet Union in the 1930s and 40s, where they were used as antidepressants. Also known as “Cat” the 1930s and 40s, where they were used as antidepressants. Also known as “Cat” and “Jeff,” they gained popularity in the United States in the 1990s.and “Jeff,” they gained popularity in the United States in the 1990s.

Synthetic cannabinoids sold as “bath salts” or “jewelry cleaner,” are sold in legal Synthetic cannabinoids sold as “bath salts” or “jewelry cleaner,” are sold in legal retail outlets They are labeled “not for human consumption” to mask their retail outlets They are labeled “not for human consumption” to mask their intended purpose and avoid Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory intended purpose and avoid Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory oversight of the manufacturing process. They are man-made chemicals and oversight of the manufacturing process. They are man-made chemicals and marketed as a “legal” high. People can smoke, snort or even inject the bath salts. marketed as a “legal” high. People can smoke, snort or even inject the bath salts. On one website that sells the bath salt, a one-gram container costs $34.95.On one website that sells the bath salt, a one-gram container costs $34.95.

At the end of the last decade, bath salts began to be gain in popularity in the At the end of the last decade, bath salts began to be gain in popularity in the United States and Europe as “legal highs.” In October 2011, the Drug Enforcement United States and Europe as “legal highs.” In October 2011, the Drug Enforcement Administration put an emergency ban on three common man-made cathinones Administration put an emergency ban on three common man-made cathinones until officials knew more about them. In July 2012, President Barack Obama until officials knew more about them. In July 2012, President Barack Obama signed legislation permanently making two of them—mephedrone and MDPV—signed legislation permanently making two of them—mephedrone and MDPV—illegal, along with several other man-made drugs often sold as marijuana illegal, along with several other man-made drugs often sold as marijuana substitutes (like substitutes (like SpiceSpice).).

Less than a month after President Obama banned the sale, Less than a month after President Obama banned the sale, production, and possession of synthetic drugs known as bath salts, production, and possession of synthetic drugs known as bath salts, the Drug Enforcement Agency announced today that it has made 90 the Drug Enforcement Agency announced today that it has made 90 arrests in a nationwide "synthetic drug takedown." arrests in a nationwide "synthetic drug takedown." Sen. Leahy Balks at 'Bath Salts' BanSen. Leahy Balks at 'Bath Salts' Ban Fri, 22 Jun 2012 Fri, 22 Jun 2012

Law enforcement agents also seized $36 million in cash and 19 million Law enforcement agents also seized $36 million in cash and 19 million packets of synthetic drugs, including bath salts (a powder packets of synthetic drugs, including bath salts (a powder hallucinogen) and spice (also known as fake marijuana), the agency hallucinogen) and spice (also known as fake marijuana), the agency said. The DEA collaborated with Immigration and Customs said. The DEA collaborated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and several other federal, state, and local law Enforcement and several other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in a project called Operation Log Jam.enforcement agencies in a project called Operation Log Jam.

Federal law enforcement officials, eager to get a deadly array of Federal law enforcement officials, eager to get a deadly array of toxic drugs known as "bath salts" off the streets,toxic drugs known as "bath salts" off the streets,

The Microbe In Bath SaltThe Microbe In Bath Salt

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare infection it’s often described as a "flesh-eating bacteria." It can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Necrotizing fasciitis spreads quickly and aggressively in an infected person. It causes tissue death at the infection site and beyond.

Every year, between 600 and 700 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. About 25% to 30% of those cases result in death. It rarely occurs in children.

- -

Group A Streptococcus pyolene (GAS) bacteria. That's the same type of bacteria that causes strep throat. However, several types of bacteria, such as staphylococcus and others, have also been associated with the disease.

The Mycotic (fungal) species cause necrotizing fasciitis are termed "flesh-eating bacteria" or "flesh-eating parasites" because of the rapid rate with which they can infect and kill human tissue.

The Bacteria and The Species of Necrotizing Fasciitis in Bath Salt:

What are the common symptoms and side effects likely to occur?

Increasing of extreme pain in the general area bath salt

Redness and warmth around the wound, though symptoms can begin at other areas of the body.

Flu-like: diarrhea, nausea, fever, dizziness, weakness, and general.

Intense thirst, dehydration.

Swelling, possibly accompanied by a purplish rash.

Large, violet-colored marks that transform into blisters filled with dark, foul-smelling fluid.

Discoloration, peeling, and flakiness as tissue death

Severe drop in blood pressure, toxic shock, and unconsciousness.

Side EffectsSide Effects

What are the ways in which the disease can be treated or cured (if possible)?

The first line of defense against this disease is strong antibiotics given through a needle into a vein. But because the bacterial toxins can destroy soft tissue and reduce blood flow, antibiotics may not reach all of the infected and dying areas. This is why rapid surgical exploration and removal of dead tissue—in addition to antibiotics—is often critical to stopping the infection. (CDC)

What are the epidemiology facts? (Gender, race, age demographics, etc.)

Bath salts have been involved in thousands of visits to the Bath salts have been involved in thousands of visits to the emergency room. In 2011 alone, there were 22,904 reports of emergency room. In 2011 alone, there were 22,904 reports of bath salts use during emergency room visits. About two thirds bath salts use during emergency room visits. About two thirds of those visits involved bath salts in combination with other of those visits involved bath salts in combination with other drugs.drugs.

In addition, poison centers took more than 6,000 calls about In addition, poison centers took more than 6,000 calls about exposures to bath salts in 2011. That number dropped to just exposures to bath salts in 2011. That number dropped to just under 500 calls in 2015.under 500 calls in 2015.

Monitoring the Future Study: Trends in Prevalence of Bath Salts for 8th Monitoring the Future Study: Trends in Prevalence of Bath Salts for 8th Graders, 10th Graders, and 12th Graders; 2015 (in percent)*Graders, 10th Graders, and 12th Graders; 2015 (in percent)*

Drug Time Period 8th Graders 10th Graders 12th Graders Bath Salts Past Year 0.40 0.70 1.00

Northern New England Poison CenterMaine Bath Salts Exposures

by Age/GenderJanuary 1 to August 6, 2011

Age Male Female Total13-19 3 2 520-29 38 13 5130-39 16 8 2440-49 5 6 1150-59 3 0 3Total 65 29 94

There is limited information about this. Below is information from the Northern New England Poison Center showing use in Maine, which indicates a high percentage of use by people under age 30.  

By JANET McCONNAUGHEY. updated 12/23/2010 3:59:56 PM ET.

NEW ORLEANS — Dangerous new drugs are being sold as fake bath salts, fake fertilizer or fake insect repellent — and sending drug abusers to emergency rooms around the country after snorting or smoking them, poison center officials say.

At least 84 people around Louisiana have been hospitalized because of paranoia, fighting, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts and physical effects such as hypertension and rapid heartbeat — most for a day or two but at least three of them for weeks, Mark Ryan, head of the Louisiana Poison Center, said Wednesday.

How do health-care professionals diagnose necrotizing fasciitis?

• Base on the patient’s symptomsBase on the patient’s symptoms• Initial treatment began upon preliminary diagnosis because waitng Initial treatment began upon preliminary diagnosis because waitng for a definitive diagnosis can delay treatment and result in increased for a definitive diagnosis can delay treatment and result in increased morbidity and mortality.morbidity and mortality.• Gram staining of fluid from the infection site tissue with clues for Gram staining of fluid from the infection site tissue with clues for determining what is causing the infection.determining what is causing the infection.• Gram stain negative or Gram stain positive and their shapes (coccus Gram stain negative or Gram stain positive and their shapes (coccus or round, rod, or comma-shaped or Vibrio)or round, rod, or comma-shaped or Vibrio)• Depends on isolation of the organisms from patients using both Depends on isolation of the organisms from patients using both aerobic and anaerobic isolation techniques, and rarely, fungal culture aerobic and anaerobic isolation techniques, and rarely, fungal culture methods.methods.• The organisms isolated is needed to determine antibiotic resistance.The organisms isolated is needed to determine antibiotic resistance.• Most physicians run white blood cell (WBC) counts (elevated in n. Most physicians run white blood cell (WBC) counts (elevated in n. fasciitis), BUN (blood urea nitrogen), sodium (decreased in n. fasciitis), fasciitis), BUN (blood urea nitrogen), sodium (decreased in n. fasciitis), and other tests to monitor the patient.and other tests to monitor the patient.

What is the treatment for What is the treatment for necrotizing fasciitis? necrotizing fasciitis?

• Doing the preliminary diagnosis: start a intravenous (IV) antibiotics Doing the preliminary diagnosis: start a intravenous (IV) antibiotics immediately.immediately.

• Antibiotics made based upon the type of flesh-eating bacteriaAntibiotics made based upon the type of flesh-eating bacteria

• Multiple antibiotics should be used at the same time to protect the patient Multiple antibiotics should be used at the same time to protect the patient from methicillin-resistant from methicillin-resistant flesh-eating bacteriaflesh-eating bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, , anaerobic bacteria, polymicrobial infections; which help the physician choose the best antibiotic polymicrobial infections; which help the physician choose the best antibiotic to treat the infection.to treat the infection.

• In the case for immediate antimicrobial therapy, early surgical treatment of In the case for immediate antimicrobial therapy, early surgical treatment of most cases of N. fasciitis can reduce morbidity and mortality.most cases of N. fasciitis can reduce morbidity and mortality.

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown by researcher to further reduce Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown by researcher to further reduce morbidity and mortality by about 10%-20% in some patients when used in morbidity and mortality by about 10%-20% in some patients when used in conjunction with antibiotics and surgery.conjunction with antibiotics and surgery.

• Extreme damage to limbs may require skin grafting, plastic surgery, or Extreme damage to limbs may require skin grafting, plastic surgery, or amputation.amputation.

(2012) Bath Salts,' 'Spice' and US Military: Are (2012) Bath Salts,' 'Spice' and US Military: Are Service Members Abusing Synthetic Drugs?Service Members Abusing Synthetic Drugs?

An undercover investigation for National Geographic explores the availability An undercover investigation for National Geographic explores the availability of powerful synthetic drugs, with names like "spice" and "bath salts," and its of powerful synthetic drugs, with names like "spice" and "bath salts," and its popularity among members of the U.S. military.popularity among members of the U.S. military.

For the next installment of National Geographic's "Inside: Secret America" For the next installment of National Geographic's "Inside: Secret America" series, which takes an in-depth look at how people can easily purchase series, which takes an in-depth look at how people can easily purchase synthetic drugs, investigative journalist Mariana van Zeller went undercover synthetic drugs, investigative journalist Mariana van Zeller went undercover with a former Marine and a Marine on active duty in San Diego to local with a former Marine and a Marine on active duty in San Diego to local smoke shops as they purchased bath salts. The "Bath Salts" episode airs on smoke shops as they purchased bath salts. The "Bath Salts" episode airs on July 10 at 10 p.m. on the National Geographic Channel.July 10 at 10 p.m. on the National Geographic Channel.

"Spice" mimics the effects of marijuana. While "bath salts" look as harmless "Spice" mimics the effects of marijuana. While "bath salts" look as harmless as their name, they are a strong concoction with an impact similar to as their name, they are a strong concoction with an impact similar to amphetamines or cocaine.amphetamines or cocaine.

Despite the risks, Jordan, and his friend, who was called Chris, are no Despite the risks, Jordan, and his friend, who was called Chris, are no strangers to this new class of drugs. Jordan was kicked out of the Marines a strangers to this new class of drugs. Jordan was kicked out of the Marines a month before talking with National Geographic for disciplinary reasons, but month before talking with National Geographic for disciplinary reasons, but Chris is still on active duty, which is why his identity is not being revealed.Chris is still on active duty, which is why his identity is not being revealed.

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/gif/34drug.jpg

http://www.documentingreality.com/forum/f149/necrotizing-fasciitis-126663/

http://news.asiantown.net/r/30041/one-year-later-this-is-what-the-man-who-had-his-face-eaten-by-zombie-looks-like

http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2012/01/13/145179057/woman-injects-bath-salts-loses-arm-to-flesh-eating-bacteria

http://blog.palmpartners.com/your-brain-on-drugs-bath-salts/

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/salts.html

https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/ondcp-fact-sheets/synthetic-drugs-k2-spice-bath-salts

http://abcnews.go.com/US/bath-salts-spice-us-military-service-members-abusing/story?id=19621742

References:References:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/dea-raids-synthetic-pot-bath-salts-manufacturers-sellers-article-1.1122303

https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/bath-salts

http://abcnews.go.com/topics/lifestyle/health/mdpv.htm

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/05/08/amped-new-synthetic-drug-used-to-get-high/