Reiterates Call for Immediate Action on a National Ban
WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement in response to Pennsylvania’s enactment of a ban on so-called “bath salts”:
“I applaud the Governor and the Pennsylvania legislature today for enacting a ban on dangerous so-called ‘bath salts.’ This is a critical step to protect our communities, and I am disappointed that Washington has not moved with similar speed to pass a national ban. Earlier this year, I endorsed the Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act. It is time to enact that legislation. In addition, the DEA should also use its authority to take these drugs off the streets. This is a grave threat to our communities, and the time for action is now."
Senator Casey is a cosponsor of The Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act (S.409) which would immediately add the ingredients in bath salts to the list of controlled substances.
In March, Senator Casey urged the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to use its authority to temporarily ban the chemicals in so-called ‘bath salts’ to immediately take the dangerous drugs off the streets. In a letter to DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart, Senator Casey pointed to recent DEA action to ban synthetic marijuana as precedent to take immediate action against the drugs in bath salts. Senator Casey also supports legislation to give the DEA more flexibility to quickly remove dangerous substances from the market.
The Dangerous Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2011 (S. 605) would amend the Controlled Substances Act, doubling the timeframe the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services have to emergency schedule substances from 18 months to 36 months. This will allow for dangerous substances to be quickly removed from the market while being studied for permanent scheduling.
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