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Politics & Government

Seekonk Police Support Effort to Ban Dangerous 'Bath Salts'

Seekonk police sergeant says they've seen the impact of kids ingesting bath salts to get high.

A to classify bath salts as a Class C substance under the state's Controlled Substances Act, was brought before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary on Beacon Hill on Thursday.

Rep. Betty Poirier (R-North Attleboro), who co-sponsored the bill, who have been directly impacted by the effects of bath salts, and representatives from approximately 75 police departments joined Ross at the hearing. Rep. Steven Howitt, who represents Norton, Rehoboth, Swansea and Seekonk, also petititoned in support of the bill.

The hearing comes just days after the United States Drug Enforcement Administration placed the key ingredients found in “bath salts” under federal control and regulation.

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The use of bath salts as a way to get high has been a growing problem throughout the nation. In fact, several states have banned it from store shelves. In Attleboro, had on their children. The effects were such that one of the users of the bath salts had to be hospitilized for more than a month. Two Attleboro residents, with support from their family, testified on what the drug did to them.

Seekonk Sgt. Matt Jardine was glad to see a bill being pushed to ban the bath salts. He said the department has encountered issues with the salts numerous times in the town, usually on a medical call for an overdose.

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While the drugs have not caused any deaths to his knowledge, the drugs are dangerous.

“Kids are definitely getting hurt,” Jardine said.

Jardine said the salts are often used by teenagers, similar in the way that glue, paint or aerosol products are "huffed.” However, he said the situation with these products is different as they are mainly sold for the intent of getting high.

“I don’t think there are too many people using these in their bath.”

Rep. Ross sponsored the bill after learning about how the bath salts were and how they are highly addictive. Users say the bath salts can trigger suicidal thoughts, paranoia and fatigue.

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