Louisiana Governor Signs Bill Banning “Bath Salts”

The use, manufacture and sale of “bath salts,” synthetic drugs that mimic the effects of cocaine, have been outlawed under a bill signed by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, the Times-Picayune reports. A number of other states have recently banned bath salts, including New York and North Carolina.

According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, as of June 30, 2011, there were 3,740 calls to poison control centers around the country because of exposure to bath salts, compared with 303 calls in all of 2010.

Bath salts are often sold in convenience stores. Symptoms include paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, suicidal behavior and violence. Bath salts can also cause chest pains and increased blood pressure.