SAN DIEGO COUNTY - San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis and San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore announced today, Jan. 31, that their offices are sending letters to nearly 100 businesses in the county, warning they could face criminal or civil penalties if they don't follow a new state law banning the sale of synthetic drugs, including an increasingly popular and dangerous drug commonly known as "bath salts."

"We're taking this action to let businesses know about the new law and penalties they could face," Dumanis said. "More importantly, we want to be proactive to let San Diegans know how dangerous these drugs can be; 'bath salts' in particular have been linked to an alarming number of calls to poison control centers and scary emergency room visits."

The first wave of letters was mailed today, Jan. 31, to mini-marts, convenience stores and other businesses that have been known to sell "bath salts." The letters inform store owners about the new law and explain that failure to comply with the law could result in criminal prosecution or a civil enforcement action. Potential sanctions include fines and imprisonment or permanent injunctions and substantial civil penalties.

"One of our concerns surrounding the use of these designer drugs is the inherent innocence in their names," Sheriff Bill Gore said. "Make no mistake, these are toxic substances that can and have resulted in death. Our goal in sending this letter and holding this news event is to educate parents, businesses and the public on the dangers of 'spice' and 'bath salts.'"

"We are taking this new threat to our children seriously," said Supervisor Greg Cox. "That's why I will soon partner with the District Attorney and the Sheriff to seek a civil abatement ordinance that will allow us to target those in the unincorporated area who sell or provide these dangerous drugs to our children."

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[ Christ the King Lutheran Church ] Bill 486, authored by Assemblyman Ben Hueso, went into effect October 9, 2011 and makes it illegal to sell, dispense, distribute, furnish, administer or possess for sale synthetic 2 stimulants commonly known as 'bath salts.' California joined several other states, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom in acting to place bans on the drugs. Last September, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) invoked its "emergency scheduling authority" to control the three synthetic stimulants contained in 'bath salts.'

"The Governor's signature on this bill gives law enforcement the authority it needs to go into stores and remove these harmful drugs from the shelves," Hueso said. "This new law is making a huge difference, especially in the lives of children in San Diego County."

'Bath salts' are a synthetic stimulant that contains amphetamine-like chemicals, including mephedrone, which can have a high risk for overdose.

Doctors at poison control centers have reported a huge increase in the number of calls about exposure to bath salts. In 2010, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported 303 calls; in 2011 it reported 6,072 calls. Emergency room physicians have reported that the drug can cause rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, chest pain, agitation, hallucinations, extreme paranoia, delusions and suicidal thoughts. Anecdotal reports from emergency rooms across the country about people who have used the drug are alarming, including users who were so agitated, violent, and psychotic that large doses of sedatives failed to calm them.

The drugs come in powder and crystal forms like traditional bath salts - hence the name. Users typically snort, inject or smoke them. The drugs are sold under names such as "Ivory Wave," "Purple Wave," "Vanilla Sky," and "Bliss."

On January 19, the San Diego County Board of Education adopted a resolution granting school districts express authority to discipline students for conduct involving or related to 'bath salts' and other synthetic drugs.