SB 140-CATHINONE BATH SALTS  2:28:46 PM CHAIR FRENCH announced the consideration of SB 140. 2:29:02 PM KEVIN MEYER, sponsor of SB 140, stated that SB 140 will classify certain synthetic cathinones as a schedule IIA controlled substance. This street drug is marketed as bath salts with names that target kids, and it has become a problem in Anchorage. The USDEA classified synthetic cathinones as a schedule I drug, and the Municipality of Anchorage, the U.S. military and 33 states have banned its use. Because the drug is not illegal, kids and parents may not know the harmful effects. He deferred to the committee to determine the correct penalty, and stated that his intent was to focus on the manufacturers and distributers rather than the casual user. 2:33:07 PM CHAIR FRENCH said that when he first heard about bath salts he thought it was a compound that was sold in retail outlets, but that's incorrect. Bath salts is just a name for the compound and it's actually being marketed through head shops. SENATOR MEYER said that's correct; bath salts are legal and not regulated, just as synthetic cannabinoids were marketed as incense. CHAIR FRENCH observed that it isn't sold at a grocery store and it's not like Sudafed, which can be used to make something else. This is a special product that has a common sounding name. SENATOR MEYER agreed and added that it might also be sold in some convenience stores. CHAIR FRENCH said he'd like to know how it compares to the drug known as "Spice." 2:34:44 PM DR. MICHAEL COOPER, Deputy State Epidemiologist, Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), stated that synthetic cathinones known as bath salts are an important public health problem. The affects from using bath salts appear to be more significant than for the synthetic drug "Spice." Synthetic cathinones are the active compounds and the prepackaged powders are usually made in China or India. They are for sale online and in stores in Alaska and are usually deceitfully labeled. To avoid regulation they are almost always labeled "not for human consumption," even though their purpose is for recreational abuse by snorting, smoking, intravenous injection, or being rectally administered. These synthetic cathinones are derived from the parent compound cathinone, a schedule I substance under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act and both are similar to amphetamines. They increase the level of certain neurotransmitters in the brain and create an adrenalin rush, a sense of euphoria, increased arousal, and alertness. The desired affects are similar to those found with amphetamines, cocaine and ecstasy, but there are also a host of unpredictable and undesirable effects. These include agitation, aggression, hallucinations, paranoia, and seizures. There are widespread reports of crimes and bizarre behavior attributed to abuse of these compounds. Patient high on bath salts can be a real danger to themselves and others. The Journal of Orthopedics described a life-threatening skin infection thought to be related to bath salt injection, resulting in amputation of the patient's arm and a radical mastectomy. There is no quick way to detect synthetic cathinones in a patient in Alaska at this time. These drugs do not show up on routine drug tests. There's a lab in California that can be used to screen patients for confirmation of these synthetic cathinones in their urine. There is also no antidote and no specific treatment. These drugs are relatively new on the recreational drug scene. They were created in the 1950s as a possible treatment for chronic fatigue, but were found to have a high abuse and addiction potential so they fell out of favor. They started getting popular in Europe about six years ago and widespread use started in the U.S. just a couple of years ago. The number of calls to poison control centers nationwide increased from about 300 in 2010 to over 6,000 in 2011. Over 30 states have already enacted legislation banning the sale and possession of compounds containing certain synthetic cathinones. The Drug Enforcement Agency used its emergency scheduling authority to make certain synthetic cathinones temporarily controlled while formulating a long-term policy. Most states have controlled one or more of the most common synthetic cathinones, but they can easily be made a little different and still have powerful affects. Washington is one state that has enacted broader legislation and Pennsylvania incorporated some amendments to address this problem. The Alaska section of epidemiology published a bulletin in October 2011 documenting a few case reports of bath salts abuse in Alaska, and emergency room doctors have detailed encounters with patients under the influence of these drugs. There have reportedly been about 15 calls from Alaska to the poison control centers, which is an indicator that they're around and being abused. Public health considers the abuse of these synthetic cathinones to be a growing threat. They're widely available and may contain different potent psychoactive compounds. They may create different and dangerous side effects, and by all accounts they are gaining in popularity. An increasingly younger cohort is abusing these drugs, in part because they are widely available and appealing. 2:42:40 PM ORIN DYM, Forensic Laboratory Manager, State Crime Laboratory, said he was available to answer questions. CHAIR FRENCH asked if Alaska law enforcement officers had sent any of this material to the lab for analysis. MR. DYM answered yes; the most common is 3,4- methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MVPV) followed by Methylone, both of which are an ecstasy equivalent. The lab has received various other compounds, primarily from Anchorage, Kenai and the MatSu Valley. Samples have come in from the rest of Alaska as well. CHAIR FRENCH asked if it's possible to tell if the compound was bought online and mailed to Alaska or sold in Alaskan establishments. MR. DYM replied there was no way of knowing, but they are available both ways, and typically sold in half gram quantities for about $40. 2:44:47 PM SENATOR COGHILL asked if there was an established protocol for testing for these compounds. MR. DYM replied the crime lab is already capable of identifying them. SENATOR COGHILL asked if it's a blood test. MR. DYM explained that the lab does bulk drug identification, but it does not perform toxicology and analysis of drugs in blood. Those methods are still in the development stage. CHAIR FRENCH summarized that the lab can identify the powder but can't detect it in someone's blood. MR. DYM said that's correct, but a lot of private toxicology labs are working on a test protocol to make that determination. 2:46:02 PM QUINLAN STEINER, Public Defender, Public Defender Agency, expressed concern about the level of offense and asked if there was any consideration given to dropping it to schedule III. That would be similar to what was done last year with the synthetic cannabinoids bill. He noted that schedule IIa offenses have some of the most severe penalties available under the state criminal code. CHAIR FRENCH said the sponsor indicated an interest in that inquiry, and the committee would be mindful about where it set the penalties. 2:48:17 PM KATE BURKHART, Executive Director, Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (ABADA), clarified that she was speaking only on behalf of the board, and noted the formal letter of support for SB 140 in the packets. Responding to an earlier comment from the Chair about whether these substances were used for other legitimate purposes, she said the board initially had that same concern, but that is not the case. She said that to her knowledge these substances have no legitimate medical or food- based purpose. They are created to stimulate the user and are deceptively marketed to circumvent regulations. With regard to Mr. Steiner's comments about the appropriate level of offense, she said the effect of synthetic cathinones on the user is at least if not more serious than synthetic THC and cannabinoids. They are the equivalent of methamphetamines and amphetamines, which are schedule IIa substances. The penalty for possession of a IIa substance is very severe, but if the intent is to focus on those that manufacture and distribute the substance then the higher penalty is appropriate. The effect on the user, who reportedly is a younger cohort and often less sophisticated, is very severe. Classifying these compounds as schedule IIa drugs is an appropriate use of the Legislature's power to regulate to protect the health and safety of Alaskans, she concluded. 2:51:42 PM CHAIR FRENCH closed public testimony and announced he would hold SB 140 in committee. He commented that this brings up all the debates about drug sentencing and penalties. The point is to get people to stop using drugs when they're home working and living as free citizens. Putting them in prison for 24 months doesn't solve that problem, and prisons are expensive. The sponsor is sensitive to that, as is the committee.