Our Opinion: Dangerous synthetic drugs outlawed

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Bath salts prohibited in a law signed this week have nothing to do with cleanliness.

They do, however, have everything to do with staying clean — as in clean and sober.

Gov. Jay Nixon on Thursday signed legislation outlawing synthetic drugs marketed as bath salts.

The substances produce a high reported to mimic the effects of cocaine. Side effects also reported include elevated heart rates, hallucinations and violent tendencies.

According to information provided during the legislative session, the offending substances easily can be distinguished by price, with the synthetic substance costing upwards of $27 for a 250-milligram package, compared with about $4 for a much larger container of the legitimate bath additive.

Also criminalized are synthetic substances that produce a marijuana-like high, including variants of the previously outlawed predecessor K2.

Law enforcement authorities link a vast majority of criminal activity to drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.

In addition to causing aberrant and criminal behavior, drug abuse and addiction also lead to injuries and death.

We commend lawmakers and the governor for recognizing the dual dangers — to users and to the public — and outlawing these diabolical substances.

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jcmom69 1 year, 10 months ago

YES!! This synthetic stuff is readily available and easily obtained by teens.. The sign saying must be 18 is a lie to at least one of the shops here in town.. This fake stuff can be deadly and I would hate anyone, let alone one of own children in JC to pay the fatal price by being able to just walk in somewhere and make an exchange for cash for death..It is not worth the risk people! Please do something before it is one of locals obituary we are reading!

daveshouse1000 1 year, 10 months ago

The only reason that this stuff exists is because cannabis is still illegal. It's time to change the drug policy and do away with these outdated laws. I also love the cowardly way this opinion piece was posted without an actual name. Of course the news people want drugs banned because drug busts cause news stories which make for good ratings and sell more advertising space. To enforce and age limit is acceptable but to tell adults what they can and can't put in their body under the guise of "protecting the children" is disingenuous at best.

online_editor 1 year, 10 months ago

To clarify, the "Our Opinion" pieces are, as the byline indicates, by the News Tribune, meaning it represents the opinion of the editorial management, not merely one columnist. The opinion page editor is Richard McGonegal, who can be reached at editor@newstribune.com. That's also the e-mail to use to submit "Your Opinion" letters to the editor (include name & hometown for publication and phone no. for verification) to respond on this or opine on any other issue of local interest for publication. --Rick Brown, online editor, News Tribune

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