DEA Issues Emergency Ban On Ingredients Found In Bath Salts

The Drug Enforcement Administration issued an emergency ban Friday on common ingredients found in synthetic drugs, known as "bath salts."

The DEA now bans the possession and sell of mephedrone, MDPV, and methylone. The DEA says the emergency ban is needed throughout the United States to "prevent an imminent threat to the public safety."

Earlier this week Upstate counties issued emergency bans on "bath salts" ahead of the DEA. Those include Anderson and Greenville Counties.

Anderson County Council voted unanimously Tuesday night in favor of an emergency measure to immediately ban bath salts and synthetic marijuana in the county’s unincorporated areas. According to Tommy Dunn with Anderson County they had proposed ordinance to that effect on the table they couldn’t wait for another reading of that proposal before they acted to ban the drugs.

Two weeks ago, council voted on a first reading of the plan, but now they say this can't wait for two more votes..There will also be a second reading and public hearing on the permanent ban Tuesday night.

Council member Francis Crowder says the proof of a growing problem is the case involving Anderson University basketball player Lamar Jack.

Investigators say he died on October 4th after using synthetic marijuana.

The emergency ban on the drugs will last 30 days until council could go through two more readings.

Greenville County is also having first reading Tuesday night on a ban on bath salts and synthetic marijuana.

Since a temporary federal ban on some ingredients found in synthetic marijuana went into effect in March, the Upstate office of the DEA says they have not prosecuted any cases in federal court. Resident Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen says manufacturers are getting around the ban by using different chemicals to make fake pot, chemicals not included on the list of five banned by the DEA.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has already banned some of the chemicals in synthetic marijuana. And the DEA is also planning to ban bath salts, but that plan has not been put into place.
 
Randy Long is quick to tell you a label on a product can get him around a federal ban on selling fake pot. There are five ingredients in synthetic marijuana on the Drug Enforcement Administration's banned substance list. Long says, “All they’ll (the manufacturers) do is change either the formula that’s on it or they’ll change the name that they’re calling it.” Or in some cases, “7 On Your Side” found out manufacturers simply make the label say DEA compliant. 

Chris Nielsen is the Resident Agent In Charge at the Greenville DEA office. Neilsen says, “The public needs to understand that just because it's being sold on the shelf doesn't mean that it's safe to use.” 

Experts say there are dozens of other chemicals found in fake pot that are not on the DEA's banned substance list. As for bath salts, the DEA has not yet banned those. “7 On Your Side” wants to know what's taking so long for the DEA to take action? Nielsen says, “The public doesn't want a federal agency willy nilly dictating what's legal and what's illegal, and I think any American can appreciate that.” 

“7 On Your Side” asked if they're so dangerous, why not get rid of them? Why not outlaw them? Nielsen says, “Again, it comes back to federal law. I certainly don't have that authority. You know, sometimes I wish I did after reading some of these articles about these…young men and women that are doing this…But I just don't have that authority, and no one does until it's followed through this process.” 

Nielsen says that process involves scientific analysis and public input and could take almost another year.

Meantime, Long says he'll keep selling synthetic drugs. Long says, “It's not responsible to sell it, but I have to sell it.”  “7 On Your Side” asks, “It doesn't bother you, though?...” Long responds, “It bothers me. It bothers me, but I still have a business to run.”
 
Anderson County Councilman Francis Crowder says council will take up two separate ordinances Tuesday. One is the emergency ban on synthetic drugs. That will last 30 days. Council is also scheduled to have a public hearing and second reading on a permanent ban Tuesday. 

If the DEA makes a permanent ban on synthetic drugs, officials say any drug that mimics that drug will also be against the law to sell or possess.
 
Several other local counties are also considering bans. We told you Monday night Spartanburg County is one step closer to banning bath salts and synthetic marijuana. Monday council passed the first of three readings on the proposal. The next reading will take place next month. Also, Union County banned bath salts last week. And Greenville County is working on a proposal to ban synthetic drugs. A vote is planned Tuesday night.