"Bath Salts" Seized in Stratford

Wednesday, 24 July 2019 at 15:13

Stratford Police are warning the public that rare designer drugs circulating in the community can be fatal.

STRATFORD - Stratford Police seized over $157,000 in rare, illegal designer drugs back in March.

Police sent the seized drugs to Health Canada, Drug Analysis Service, for analysis and have recently received their report. The report indicated that one of the drugs recovered is known as Eutylone, which can be fatal.

As part of a harm-reduction measure, the Stratford Police would like to notify the public of this seizure as it is likely that individuals may be unaware that they are consuming this substance; and this substance is so rare that limited information is available on its safety.

The items seized in this investigation were in the form of blue pills, however; Eutylone is also commonly found as being a white or brown crystal-like powder.

Eutylone is known as a synthetic cathinone, which is more commonly known as “bath salts”, and is typically found being sold as Ecstacy/MDMA, and other similar designer drugs. Synthetic cathinones are mind-altering substances with strong stimulant effects, known to stimulate the body’s central nervous system.

Adverse side-effects can include the following:

- Death
- Irregular or a very fast heart beat
- Cardiac Arrest
- Hypothermia (over-heating of the body)
- Excessive sweating
- Dehydration
- A breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue into the bloodstream
- Kidney failure
- Extreme agitation leading to violent tendencies
- Long-term brain damage
- Visual Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Disconnected/Inconsistent speech
- Irritation of mucous membranes
- A compulsive desire to take more of the drug

The public is being asked to be aware of the presence of this drug within our community, and is specifically being asked to report any suspected use of Eutylone. If you, or someone you know, are suspected of consuming Eutylone, it is important to get medical attention immediately. Please use harm-reduction practices when using any illegal substance and call 911 right away should you suspect a problem.