(Rome, NY – Sept. 12, 2013) Senator Joseph A. Griffo (R-C-I, Rome) announced that Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation (S.3469A/Chapter 341) to stop the sale and use of deadly bath salt-type drugs that have been connected to recent deaths of young party-goers in New York City.
The new law, sponsored by Senator Griffo, would further curb the use of bath salts by adding new compounds used to make these types of drugs to the state’s banned substances list. It classifies these compounds as Schedule I stimulant controlled substances and imposes criminal penalties on those who sell, use and/or possess these drugs. The law makes it a felony to sell the substances to a minor or on school grounds.
“I applaud Governor Cuomo for signing this measure into law because these drugs are very dangerous and cause violence and death,” Senator Griffo said. “News reports today blame bath salt drugs for the recent deaths of as many as three people in New York City.”
“The latest danger posed by these drugs involves dealers passing the bath salts off to young people as the party-drug ‘Molly,’ by claiming the substance is pure ecstasy, when, in fact, the drug is the same kind of dangerous narcotic that causes violence and death,” Senator Griffo said.
“I commend Senator Griffo for his leadership on this issue and I am pleased that Governor Cuomo requested the bill be sent to him today and he has signed it,” Senate Majority Coalition Leader Dean Skelos said. “Bath salts are very dangerous drugs and we have to do everything we can to keep our state laws current to keep them off the streets and prevent people from becoming victims.”
The Senate passed the bill unanimously at the conclusion of the legislative session in June. It is common practice for the Governor to determine when a bill is sent to him and request that it be delivered for his consideration.
Bath salts are a commonly-used term for man-made stimulant drugs that are similar to methamphetamines. These drugs can stimulate both the nervous system and the cardiac system and can cause heart attacks, seizures, permanent brain damage and severe hallucinations. Reports have shown that an individual’s behavior on bath salts can sometimes lead to suicide or the harm of others.
In 2011, the state enacted a law proposed by Senator Griffo, that banned the sale or distribution of any product containing Mephedrone and MDPV, which were being marketed at the time for recreational use as bath salts, and classified these stimulants as controlled substances.
Senator Griffo said, “These so-called ‘bath salts’ are not the same as aromatic bath salts. They contain a potentially lethal mix of synthetic drugs and serve no purpose other than to get the user high. This law bans these dangerous substances so we may help keep our young people safe. This action is needed because tragically, these incidents are still taking place across New York.”