Always A New Way to Get High: Kids Getting High Using "Bath Salts"

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz is calling for a city ban on the sale and use of so-called "bath salts," saying they're hazardous designer drugs that are currently legally available in stores and online.

Recently, there has been an influx of reports of dangerous and sometimes deadly incidents stemming from the consumption and abuse of the powdery substance, either through smoking, injection or snorting.

Health experts say "bath salts" are powerful synthetic stimulants, designed to be comparable to cocaine or methamphetamine, and with similar risks.

The alleged effects include rapid heart beat, an intense high, euphoria, extreme energy, hallucinations, delirium, insomnia, psychosis, paranoia, suicidal thoughts, chest pain, heart attack and stroke.

"Bath Salts" come in small packets and can cost anywhere form $25 to $40. They're sold online, at convenience stores and head shops.

Koretz introduced the motion at a meeting Tuesday night, saying, "What's very clear is that there's a growing and potentially severe problem, yet to be adequately addressed, regarding the easy, legal availability of the innocent sounding 'bath salts.' Right now, only a limited number of jurisdictions in our country, including a small number of states, have instituted any actual laws, and so regulatory and legislative steps need to be taken. This motion is one step in that direction."

The stimulants are not yet regulated by the Drug Enforcement Agency but warning are being issued by law enforcement and poison control centers.

What is Wrong With These Kids?!