Bath Salts Create “Chaos” for First Responders
Jul 25, 2012
Emergency calls related to bath salts or other synthetic drugs are happening more frequently and creating a strain on first responders. Mayor of Sherrill, NY, and emergency medical tech Bill Vineall says that bath salt-related emergencies are now seen as “regular calls, not big surprises anymore,” while the neighboring Oneida NY Fire Department averages about one bath salt emergency call a day.
Bath salt users can become extremely violent, paranoid, and have severe hallucinations, putting first responders at risk in emergency situations. “Unfortunately, they are so aggressive that the majority of the time is spent keeping them under control,” Vineall said, adding that the combination of adrenaline, anxiety, and hallucinations can give bath salt users “super strength.”
The extra manpower needed for bath salt emergencies creates problems and spreads emergency resources thin. Fire Department Deputy Chief Rob Cowles estimates that bath salt calls take up twice as much time as a normal emergency call, and believes that public education as to the drugs’ effects may serve as a deterrent.
Synthetic Drugs
Return to view all news
Source
The Oneida Daily Dispatch