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Legislators target 'bath salts' drugs

March 09, 2011|By Mike Moore | mmoore@jessaminejournal.com

State legislators sent House Bill 121, which is aimed at the wave of synthetic drugs marketed as bath salts but rampantly being abused as synthetic drugs, to Gov. Steve Beshear’s office to be signed into law last Friday.

The legislation seeks to ban the sale, manufacture or possession of those substances in Kentucky. Violators would face misdemeanor charges that could result in jail time and fines.

The products are sold under such brand names as “Red Dove,” “White Ivory” and “Disco Bath Salts.”

The bill moved through the House by a 94-0 vote and gained final passage on a 34-0 Senate vote Friday. It now goes to Beshear, and his signature would put the ban into effect immediately because the bill contains an emergency clause.

Nicholasville police Maj. John Branscum said the bill is a start, but there is much work to be done to eliminate the problem.

“The only problems is going to be the changing of chemicals; the manufacturers have new formulas that are on their shelves,” he said. “It’s going to be virtually the same product, but it’s a start, and it gives us something to work with.”

Officials warn the synthetic drugs mimic the effects of cocaine, ecstasy and LSD.

The substances are typically sold in small packages for about $35, Branscum said. By contrast, street value of cocaine runs about $80 to $100 per gram, depending on its purity, he added.

Last week, state Rep. Bob Damron, D-Nicholasville, said the problem is an ongoing one and the best way to get a handle on it is through education.

“The best way of addressing this issue is to address the drug addiction problem in Kentucky and the rest of the nation,” he said.

Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed information to this report.

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