At a recent meeting of the Dillon County Council, local pastor, Dr. Rick Rogers of Open Door Community Church, along with Sheriff Major Hulon and others appeared before the council to ask the council to place a ban on bath salts. This is under further study by the county’s attorney.
What are bath salts and why is the ban being requested. Here is some information that may be helpful in further understanding the issue.
“Bath salts” are a substance being used by some to achieve a legal high.
These bath salts go by a number of names including White Ivory, Blue Silk, White Lightning, Ivory Wave, Hurricane Charlie, Red Dove, Scarface, White Dove, Cloud Nine, Pixie Dust, Ocean, Charge Plus, White Girl, Vanilla Sky, Lovey Dovey, Euphoria, and Aura.
Bath salts are sold legally in stores and online and can be purchased for about $20 per gram.
Though they are labeled “not for human consumption,” people seeking a high are smoking it, snorting it, injecting it and even eating it.
The bath salts when consumed in some way cause high anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, violent behavior, racing heart, hypertension, agitation, suicidal thoughts, and in some instances, death.
They contain a chemical called MDPV (methylenedioxpyrovalerone) or may contain other chemicals called mephedrone, methylone, flephedone, or 3-FMC.
A bill was introduced at the state level, but failed to pass before the end of the legislative session.