Bath Salts hit Mesa County hard

The local Drug Enforcement Association is cracking down on people who consume and sell the drug known as Bath Salts.

Officials say Bath Salts are an emerging threat across the Unites States and within the last 18 months the drug has become a problem in Mesa County.

The DEA says Bath Salts are targeted towards young people. In Mesa County authorities say high school and college students are the most common users.

The DEA says the drug escaped detection by the FDA because the packaging says, "not for human consumption." The Bath Salts are imported from other countries and sold at gas stations, grocery stores, and head shops.

They cause consumers to hallucinate and the effects of it are similar to meth or cocaine.

"As they became increasing popular we saw a spike in emergency room visits, over doses, suicide attempts and unfortunately several suicides associated with bath salt usage and abuse," resident agent in charge for the DEA Jim Schrant said.

Bath Salts were outlawed in November of 2011 by the federal government, and just last week, the state of Colorado signed a law making the drug illegal.

Authorities say it is part of their two step process to get this drug off the shelves. But the most important way to stop people from using bath salts, is by educating them about the dangers.