And You Thought Marijuana Was Bad? Check Out this New Way to Get High (or, Dead)
OK, we all know the debate on marijuana – whether it should be legal, for medical purposes or just altogether. The opponents of legalization have expressed their opinion, and many have deemed marijuana a “dangerous” drug.
Well, they ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
Want to know what’s worse than marijuana? Bath salts. Yes, you read that right. Although, you may not be aware that “bath salts” are a term used for a new recreational drug— and not the stuff you soak in. These chemical stimulants, which are sold on the streets as Bliss, Ivory Wave or Vanilla Sky, are gaining popularity . . . though this recent story just may deter at least a few people from giving these a try.
Woman Loses Arm After Injecting New Drug
A woman recently turned up at a New Orleans hospital with a swollen and painful forearm. Even though there was a puncture mark present, she failed to tell doctors that she’d injected bath salts at a party.
She was placed on a round of intravenous antibiotics for a skin infection. They appeared to be working until two days later when the swelling returned. Only then did the 34-year-old admit to having injected bath salts. After cutting the woman’s arm open, the doctors finally knew just how serious her situation was. What they found was a severe infection from bacteria within the salts. They also discovered dead muscle and that the infection was killing her flesh faster than they could reach it. By the time it was all said and done, the flesh-eating infection had left with her with an amputated shoulder and arm, a mastectomy and various skin grafts.
The woman, who is lucky to be alive, is currently in rehabilitation. Her case, which was written about in Orthopedic, an online journal, is bringing to light just how serious these drugs can be. The drug is more commonly smoked or snorted; but with shooting-up via needles offering a faster and more intense high, it was only a matter of time before it caught on as well.
While flesh eating infection isn’t a “common” side effect of doing drugs (or a very common condition at all), infection risk is definitely higher when it comes to injections . . . and more so when it comes to street use of injections because of the unsanitary and questionable conditions that are usually involved.
Bath Salt Ban
This case is the first one of flesh eating infection linked to the use of bath salts. But the authorities aren’t waiting around for more cases to take action. The seriousness of this case prompted the United States Drug Enforcement Administration to make the chemicals in bath salts illegal. The sale or processing of Mephedrone, 3, 4 methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and Methylone are now illegal in the United States. What’s sad is that up until these were made illegal, bath salts were being sold not only on the street but also in head shops and other retail stores, as well as online.
If the fear of contracting a flesh eating infection isn’t enough to deter someone from trying this sort of drug, there are several other dangerous side effects that have been reported such as extreme paranoia and even violent episodes. The risk of overdose or death is also present anytime you take any drug.
Well, I guess I’ve never known anyone overdosing on marijuana . . . just sayin’.
