SandBoxBlogs: KKCO 11 News "New Law Prohibits Sale and Possession of Bath Salts "

Christy Dimond:
"Yesterday, Governor Hickenlooper signed a bill making it illegal to use, sell and possess cathinones, which are the family of chemicals in bath salts.

"Yesterday was a big victory for families, for law enforcement and really the state at large," says Jim Schrant, Resident Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Bath salts have a dangerous, sometimes deadly effect on those who try it.

"Just like that, an overdose, a suicide attempt. This is really like playing with a time bomb," Schrant says.

This time bomb may be particularly hard to catch. It's sold as an assortment of things including stain remover, plant food and crystals. One thing that all forms have in common is who they're marketing to.

"This stuff is being produced in China, Mexico and India for the sole purpose of being sold to young people here in the US," he says.

"I think that that's completely wrong of local businesses to market products that aren't good for you towards kids when they're more liable to buy them," says Grand Junction Resident Christopher Little.

Schrant says the packaging is colorful with words like "excite" and "wow." Under the new law, any businesses caught selling anything with these ingredients will face a hefty penalty.

"In our view it's just like drug trafficking and will be treated legally just like drug trafficking even if it's just a convenient store or head shop," he says.

They're looking to stop the manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of bath salts. But this law doesn't solve the problem when science gets a step ahead of the law.

"They're trying new chemical compounds that aren't illegal to try to replicate the effects of bath salts," Schrant says.

That's why, he says, it needs to be a community effort.

"It needs to be a partnership with the community and law enforcement. We're going to do what we can to keep this out of the kids' hands but we really need awareness and education by the parents, teachers, kids and their friends to realize this is really a problem," Schrant says...."

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SandBoxBlogs: Denver Post "'Bath salt' drugs called emerging threat in Colo"

REMA RAHMAN:
"DENVER—The strangulation death of a 19-year-old Colorado man who authorities say had ingested a synthetic drug could be an indication of the emerging threat posed by such compounds, a federal drug agent said Friday.

Investigators believe Daniel J. Richards of Grand Junction was acting violently under the influence of the drug called Alpha-PVP on April 10 and was strangled when his friends tried to subdue him.

Friends took Richards to a hospital, and he died a few days later when he was taken off life support, police said.

Toxicology tests found Alpha-PVP in Richards' body, Mesa County Chief Deputy Coroner Kim Hollingshead said. He ruled the death a homicide......

>......Hollingshead and Jim Schrant, an agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, believe Richards' death is the first involving bath salts in western Colorado.

"It's an emerging drug of concern," Schrant said.

The DEA issued an emergency ban in October on three ingredients often found in bath salts, and

Congress is debating whether to impose a permanent ban.

DEA spokeswoman Barbara Carreno said it is unclear whether the chemical found in Richards' body is one of the three compounds banned by the agency, but she said it could have been a substance created to provide the same effects....."
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SandBoxBlogs: Colorado House GOP "Measure to create penalties for “bath salts” passes committee"

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"DENVER—A measure sponsored by state Rep. J. Paul Brown that redefines cathinones—or “bath salts”—as a controlled substance unanimously passed the House Judiciary Committee today.

Senate Bill 116 creates a new class three felony for a person who distributes, manufactures, dispenses or sells the substance.

“Bath salts are under the radar,” Brown, R-Durango, expressed.  “We need to shine a spotlight on these dangerous substances.”

Bath salts can produce a stimulant like effect and leave abusers with symptoms similar to cocaine, amphetamines and methamphetamines. Most routine drug screens do not detect the use of synthetic cathinones, appealing to those who must undergo mandatory drug screening. Bath salts are currently legal under Colorado law.

“These drugs are not independent, lone drugs.  They are often sold or used with other drugs as well,” explained Brown.  “They are inexpensive, accessible, hard to detect and devastate lives.”

The measure creates a new penalty for deceptive trade practices by anyone who distributes, manufactures, sells or purchases products containing a cathinone. Global shipping and internet networks facilitate distribution and sustain the sales of synthetic cathinones.

“Bath salts are marketed and labeled to circumvent current laws,” said Brown, R-Durango.  “This law will help to combat new problems and protect people.”

Senate Bill 116 now moves to the full House for further consideration....." (Read more? Click title)

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SandBoxBlogs: Fort Morgan Times "EMS Symposium offers education to locals"

Dan Barker:

"Crone warned the participants that they might face some new situations with the designer drugs that are out on the streets now.

 

For example, there is a form of synthetic marijuana often called spice or K-2 that causes agitation or aggression instead of the relative calm of true marijuana, although it looks and smells similar to marijuana, he said.

Also, there are designer drugs disguised as bath salts but intended for consumption. It is a stimulant meant to give a similar effect to cocaine or methamphetamine, Crone said.

 

EMS workers could run into young people who have used these substances. If they are showing altered mental status, emergency responders may want to consider whether they have consumed these products, he said.

 

They can do damage to internal organs, Crone warned.

In the decontamination drill, a simulated zone was set aside as a place where hazardous waste had spilled. Part of the process is to separate all non-essential items such as backpacks, notebooks or technology and put them in a special container for disposal. People will never get those things back....."

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SandBoxBlogs: KKCO 11 News "Latest update in death of Grand Junction teen "

KKCO:
"An update in the death of a Grand Junction teenager who was taken off of life support on Thursday.
Friends and family say 19-year-old Daniel Richards' death has been ruled a homicide...."
(Be sure to watch all regional news outlets for updates.  Read more on this report? Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."