MELBOURNE hospitals are warning their emergency departments to expect admissions of patients affected by a controversial new drug MDPV, known on the street as bath salts.
The synthetic drug, which can be snorted, injected or smoked, is derived from mephedrone. It is reported to have effects similar to ecstasy and cocaine but can cause psychotic-like symptoms.
Experts have warned the bath salts drug and other drugs derived from mephedrone including meow meow and plant food have significant health risks.
The drug can result in psychosis, insomnia and paranoia and has been linked to deaths in Britain. Users experience a powerful sense of euphoria, increased energy, sociability, and sexual stimulation.
Geoff Munro, policy and advocacy director for the Australian Drug Foundation, said there had been limited research into the drug.
The drug has been linked to several violent, psychotic episodes overseas. It is widely available online and though illegal in Australia, the importation of bath salts from overseas websites remains possible.
sVictoria Police acknowledge that synthetic drugs represent a major challenge to law enforcement.
Lez Twentyman said that the increasing popularity of synthetic drugs such as bath salts was a result of drug addiction being treated as an enforcement issue not a community health issue.
Mr Twentyman said that the availability of drugs online has resulted in increasing levels of drug taking among Victorian youth.
He said often ingredients of drugs bought online were unclear.
"People don't really know what they're taking," he said.
A spokeswoman for the Royal Melbourne Hospital said that the number of people admitted for drug related medical issues would almost certainly rise during summer.
