BATH SALTS DEATHS Deaths From Bath Salts Overdoses Decrease In WV Since Ingredients Illegal
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Jeff Morris
Reported: Jan. 14, 2013 12:06 PM EST
Updated: Jan. 14, 2013 12:11 PM EST
Eyewitness News Photo
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
West Virginia has seen a decline in overdoses from bath salts since a law making the drug's ingredients illegal went into effect last year.
West Virginia Poison Control Center director Dr. Elizabeth Scharman says 43 cases were reported in 2012. That's down from 250 in 2011.
Scharman told The Exponent Telegram that the number of cases fell significantly during the last four months of the year. Thirty one of last year's cases were reported before the end of August.
In April 2012, authorities shut down two stores in Harrison and Upshur counties that were major suppliers of bath salts in north-central West Virginia.
Harrison County Sheriff Albert Marano said police are still seeing bath salts abuse in his county. But it's not as prevalent as it once was.
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