Anchorage Assembly Bans Additional Chemicals in Bath Salts

The Anchorage Assembly passed legislation Tuesday to ban a handful of chemical compounds being marketed as bath salts, otherwise known as synthetic cocaine.

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By Alexis Fernandez

Story Created: Nov 10, 2011 at 11:33 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Nov 10, 2011 at 11:36 AM AKDT

The Anchorage Assembly passed legislation Tuesday to ban a handful of chemical compounds being marketed as bath salts, otherwise known as synthetic cocaine.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency banned three of the chemicals last month, but the current city law bans an additional three, which includes several compounds in fluoromethcathinone and methoxymethcathinone.

Officials from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services say the effects of bath salts are similar to cocaine and can cause a person to hallucinate.

Back in May, three people were hospitalized after they ingested the drug, according to state health officials.

“These are substances that are killing our youth and community. So there’s no reason we shouldn’t take action and try to prevent this substance in our community,” said Anchorage Assemblyman Paul Honeman.

If a person is caught with the chemical, you could face a fine of up to $5,000 and up to a year behind bars.

Assembly members say enforcement will be taken seriously.

“If items are discovered in their possession, police will be notified and they'll come and take appropriate action,” said Honeman.

Despite the presence of police and other agencies, lawmakers say, ultimately, it will need help from the community to keep designer drugs off the streets for good.

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WHAT A LAUGH! said on Thursday, Nov 17 at 7:50 AM

How are they going to inforce it and supervise the sales? Get a "Police Bath Salts" division going? Hard to manage all the crime and gangs, let alone a bath salt sellers. What a joke!

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johhnyknowsitall said on Saturday, Nov 12 at 7:41 PM

your an idiot lol, fluoromethcathinone is a synthetic drug, a stimulant like ecstacy or methamphetamine.

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concerned citizen said on Friday, Nov 11 at 8:34 AM

Good move to ban fluoromethcathinone!!!, I have personally banned the salt fluorosilicisodium from my life, however the Municipality still keeps adding it to my tap water, to chemically alter citizens teeth. This forces me to take a bath in it, perhaps the city will follow the lead of Juneau, Fairbanks, Palmer and Nome and hopefully ban this salt too.

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truth said on Thursday, Nov 10 at 2:57 PM

Thank you for getting this garbage off our streets!

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