Police Begin Enforcing Synthetic Drug Ban

On Aug. 15, Redlands Police officers began distributing warning letters to local businesses advising them of the new local ban on the sale and use of toxic, synthetic chemical drugs known as “Spice” and “bath salts.” The ban, passed by the Redlands City Council in July, took effect on Friday, Aug. 16. “These drugs are as dangerous as PCP and meth, yet stores have been selling them and our youth have been using them legally,” said Lt. Travis Martinez. “We intend to vigorously enforce this ordinance and we won’t hesitate to take action against any violators.” The ban was adopted by the Redlands City Council July 16 to address the growing threat that new formulations of toxic chemical drugs pose and to close a legal gap that allowed these dangerous drugs to be sold legally and used by youth in Redlands. Those found in violation of the new ordinance are subject to fines, jail time and the revocation of business licenses. Calls to poison control centers nationally shot up from 2,915 in 2010 to 6,890 in 2011 for Spice and from 303 to 6,072 for bath salts—a 200 percent increase—during the same two years. From January 2011 to March 2012 the California Poison Control Center received calls concerning 337 patients suffering severe effects from use of Spice of whom 256 were treated at hospital facilities. Of those 256 people requiring emergency medical care, 14 were admitted to critical care units, four were admitted to psychiatric units and 23 were admitted to non-critical care units. During the same period the California Poison Control Center received calls concerning 243 patients suffering severe effects from use of “bath salts,” of whom 148 required hospital care. Of those 148 needing emergency medical treatment, two died, 26 were admitted to critical care units, 17 were admitted to psychiatric units and 21 to non-critical units. State and local governments—including Arizona, Adelanto, Barstow, and others across the country—are taking action on this issue in order to bridge the current legal gap in protecting youth from these new dangerous synthetic drugs. Although there are some California and federal laws addressing these drugs, loopholes have allowed them to be possessed, used and often sold legally, putting all ages at risk. Illicit manufacturers have altered the chemical formulations and packaging to evade the current extremely limited laws. Spice and bath salts have become a multibillion dollar industry in the U.S. The size of the market for Spice alone is estimated at $7.8 billion in 2011, up from $5 billion in 2010. According to a 2012 national survey by the University of Michigan, one in nine high school seniors have used Spice within the last year making it now the second most frequently used illicit drug after marijuana. Effects of these toxic synthetic chemicals vary wildly and can result in paranoia, depression, and violence—often coupled with PCP-type super-strength. With both Spice and bath salts, one-time use has resulted in death. Authorities have seen Spice and bath salts involved in suicides, strokes, psychotic breaks, self-mutilation, car crashes, and murders. The potential for flashbacks is present with some effects lasting for days. Side effects of Spice include increased heart rate, cardiac arrest, hallucinations, paranoia, seizures, anxiety, panic attacks, increased blood pressure and death. Bath salts side effects include hallucinations, seizures, tremors, high body temperatures (107–110 degrees), PCP-like strength, recurring suicidal thoughts, violent behavior, insomnia, kidney failure, stroke and death. The synergistic effects between two of these drugs or in combination with alcohol, other drugs, or prescription medications is unknown and likely severe. “I am particularly concerned about this new group of dangerous synthetic drugs,” said Dr. Phong Nguyen, Medical Director of Emergency Services at Redlands Community Hospital. “The wide variety of chemicals used in these drugs makes it very difficult for us to identify and treat patients who have ingested them. For example, behavior brought on by ‘bath salts’ may put patients in the psychiatric ward, and staff may be ill-equipped to handle the super-human strength these patients can exhibit.” These toxic chemical drugs are being sold to kids in packages that look like candy or incense and in some cases, have been displayed right next to candy on store shelves.