Fake Cocaine and Bath Salts

Be an educated parent.

Bath salts are being misused as 'fake cocaine' and Florida teens are going to the hospital after using these bath salts.

According to the Florida Sun-Sentinel, "We're seeing teenagers experiment with this," said Dr. Nabil El Sanadi, chief of emergency medicine for Broward Health. "They will do stuff that they wouldn't normally do, like dive from a third-story window into a pool. It's very, very dangerous."

Users usually snort the powder and experience effects similar to cocaine and crystal meth, Dr. El Sanadi said. But the euphoria often leads to paranoia, chest pains and irregular heart beats.

"They come in confused, disoriented, with high blood pressure," said El Sanadi, who first noticed the trend in spring 2010. "I guarantee you most parents don't even suspect their kids might be doing it."
As we read about this latest trend with teens and drug use, it reminds us of the last year's craze of K2 Spice.  This is a very serious concern as there has been at least two suicides in Louisiana, 21 calls to Florida poison control centers and dozens of hospital visits in Central and South Florida in the past year that have links to the use of bath salts as a drug.

A DEA ban is in the works for synthetic marijuana chemicals found in incense blends, which made headlines in 2010 as thousands of smokers of brands such as K2 and Spice were hospitalized across the country. Federal officials announced plans in November to outlaw the drug, and local authorities say retailers may be looking at fake cocaine as a new way to make money.


Raising teens today is challenging and when we have these types of worries and concerns it makes it twice as hard.  These are times that communication is your key to prevention.  Remaining in a state of denial can only further the danger your teen could be in.  Even if you believe they would never use this or participate in this sort of behavior - continue to talk to your kids about the dangers of substance abuse.

Of course, "not my kid" is a common answer - but just imagine it is your kid.  Never take anything for granted.  If it's not your kid it may be a friend or relative.

Be an educated parent, you will have safer and healthier teens.


Sources: Broward County Sun-Sentinel

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