Health News
Kentucky is one of an increasing number of states proposing an emergency ban on products marketed as "bath salts," which can cause paranoia, hallucinations and even violent behavior.
- New Law Bans Sales Of Electronic Cigarettes To Minors
Sales of electronic cigarettes to people under 18 are now illegal in Kentucky, following Gov. Steve Beshear's signing into law Thursday of a bill that had support from cigarette manufacturers, many of whom are also getting into the e-cigarette business....
- Bath Salts, Synthetic Drugs Change Too Fast For Foes To Fight
Bath salts, which mimic the effects of drugs like cocaine and speed. The Patriot-News photo by Chris Knight.Though legislators across the country, including Kentucky, have passed laws to ban synthetic drugs like bath salts, there are so many new formulations...
- Anti-meth Bill Passes Senate; Limits Monthly Pseudoephedrine Purchases To 7.2 Grams A Month And 24 Grams A Year
In an effort to curb methamphetamine production, the Senate passed a bill Friday that will limit the amount of pseudoephedrine that can be bought monthly and annually. Senate Bill 3, approved 25-11, will allow consumers to buy 7.2 grams of medicine containing...
- Sen. Rand Paul Puts Holds On Federal Synthetic Drug Bans
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, left, has put a hold on several Senate bills aimed at banning chemicals used in synthetic drugs because he feels "enforcement of most drug laws can and should be local and state issues," said his spokeswoman Moira Bagley. The move...
- Legislature Passed Few Health-related Bills; Took Small Steps On Child Obesity, Diabetes, Elder Abuse
There were proposals to combat childhood obesity, fight methamphetamine production, impose a statewide smoking ban and protect nursing home residents, but Kentucky lawmakers were reluctant to make changes through health-related legislation this year,...
Health News
Legislators expected to ban products containing addictive, powerful ingredient marketed as 'bath salts'
Kentucky is one of an increasing number of states proposing an emergency ban on products marketed as "bath salts," which can cause paranoia, hallucinations and even violent behavior.The product, which is sold legally in stores and online under names like Cloud Nine, Red Dove, Blue Silk, Zoom and Ivory Wave, contains the ingredient methylenedioxypyrovalerone, commonly known as MDPV. The drug, which is also in products labeled as plant food, has been compared to cocaine and methamphetamine because of its addictive nature, the Lexington Herald-Leader's Beth Musgrave reports.
State Sen. Walter Blevins, D-Morehead, left, sponsored Senate Bill 129, and state Rep. John Tilley, D-Hopkinsville, right, sponsored House Bill 121, both of which ban methylenedioxypyrovalerone. Their bills simply refer to the drug with the street name "dove," and, in an emergency capacity, ban possession, trafficking or manufacture of MDPV and two related chemicals. The emergency ban is expected to pass.
State Sen. Walter Blevins, D-Morehead, left, sponsored Senate Bill 129, and state Rep. John Tilley, D-Hopkinsville, right, sponsored House Bill 121, both of which ban methylenedioxypyrovalerone. Their bills simply refer to the drug with the street name "dove," and, in an emergency capacity, ban possession, trafficking or manufacture of MDPV and two related chemicals. The emergency ban is expected to pass.Musgrave reported in December more than 100 cases of MDPV overdose were reported to poison centers in the last quarter of 2010, more than 75 percent of which were in Louisiana and Kentucky. The Louisiana Poison Center has been studying the abuse of the drug, which is most commonly snorted, but can be injected, smoked and eaten. Nationwide, the center has received 360 calls about the drug this year, Director Mark Ryan said. Earlier this month, White House drug czar Gil Kerilikowske issued a warning against abusing the product. Emergency bans have been issued in Louisiana, North Dakota and Florida, and legislative bans are also pending in Hawaii and Mississippi. (Read more)
- New Law Bans Sales Of Electronic Cigarettes To Minors
Sales of electronic cigarettes to people under 18 are now illegal in Kentucky, following Gov. Steve Beshear's signing into law Thursday of a bill that had support from cigarette manufacturers, many of whom are also getting into the e-cigarette business....
- Bath Salts, Synthetic Drugs Change Too Fast For Foes To Fight
Bath salts, which mimic the effects of drugs like cocaine and speed. The Patriot-News photo by Chris Knight.Though legislators across the country, including Kentucky, have passed laws to ban synthetic drugs like bath salts, there are so many new formulations...
- Anti-meth Bill Passes Senate; Limits Monthly Pseudoephedrine Purchases To 7.2 Grams A Month And 24 Grams A Year
In an effort to curb methamphetamine production, the Senate passed a bill Friday that will limit the amount of pseudoephedrine that can be bought monthly and annually. Senate Bill 3, approved 25-11, will allow consumers to buy 7.2 grams of medicine containing...
- Sen. Rand Paul Puts Holds On Federal Synthetic Drug Bans
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, left, has put a hold on several Senate bills aimed at banning chemicals used in synthetic drugs because he feels "enforcement of most drug laws can and should be local and state issues," said his spokeswoman Moira Bagley. The move...
- Legislature Passed Few Health-related Bills; Took Small Steps On Child Obesity, Diabetes, Elder Abuse
There were proposals to combat childhood obesity, fight methamphetamine production, impose a statewide smoking ban and protect nursing home residents, but Kentucky lawmakers were reluctant to make changes through health-related legislation this year,...