(SitNews) - Anchorage, Alaska - Senator Kevin Meyer is planning to introduce legislation during the upcoming Session that would ban compounds used to make synthetic cocaine.  The compounds contain mephedrone and methylenedioxpyrovalerone, or MDPV, and are currently being sold legally in gas stations, tobacco shops and other businesses statewide as bath salts, plant food, incense, potpourri, insect repellant and dietary supplements.

Senator Meyer is working in conjunction with Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan, who introduced an ordinance this week to criminalize the compounds.   They are known to produce a high similar to methamphetamine and cocaine, but have been found to be ten times as dangerous.   Symptoms include paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, suicidal behavior and violence.   Use of the drugs can also cause chest pains and increase blood pressure.

“These are drugs and are making people very sick, suicidal and very, very, violent,” said Senator Meyer.   “That’s why we need to take action as soon as possible.”

“These products pose a real threat to our community’s health, as well as to our public safety personnel who are dealing with individuals under the influence of these dangerous drugs,” said Mayor Sullivan.  “Locally, we’ve seen an explosion in growth in the number of people using bath salts, and we need to act locally now to reverse that trend.”

Through July of 2011, poison control centers around the nation received more than 4,137 calls for bath salts, compared with 298 in all of 2010.

“What makes these substances even more dangerous is how they are being marketed, “said Senator Meyer.  “With names like ‘Meow-Meow’, Vanilla Sky’, ‘Ivory Snow’ and ‘Bliss’, it’s obviously aimed at kids and young adults.   This bill will help parents see how dangerous these substances are, and prevent easy access for kids.”

Mephedrone and methylenedioxpyrovalerone have already been banned in the European Union, Australia, Canada and Israel, as well as several U.S. states.

Source of News: 

Senator Kevin Meyer, Majority Leader
Alaska State Legislature
www.legis.state.ak.us

 

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