Edmonton police sound alarm over 'deadly' bath salts

Edmonton policeare warning the public about a new street drugbeginning to make its way into Canada through the internet.

"Bath salts" are a blend of chemicals withpotentiallydeadly psychotic side effects, say police.

"This drug has such horrific side-effects," said drug section Det. Guy Pilon.

"Many of the people we come into contact with on the streets are telling us theyre not interestedtheyre staying away from it."

Pilon is aware of three known cases of people in Edmontonusing bath salts.

"In one recent instance, an individual took their own life, after potentially ingesting bath salts," he said. "The consequences are often lethal."

The drug,which can be eaten, snorted, injected or smoked, contains amphetamine-like chemicals such as methylenedioxypyrovalerone, or MDPV.

Its effects include paranoia, hallucinations, convulsions and psychotic episodes.

The federal government announced plans earlier this week to regulate MDPV under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

"MDPV will likely become illegal in Canadathis fallgiving police legal authority to charge people for possession, trafficking, importing, exporting and producing the drug," said Pilon.