Bath salts and incense
traditionally were the components for a soothing evening both at home and the
spa. In recent months, however, these were being used more as substitutes for
illicit drugs like methamphetamine and marijuana.
Several senior nursing students at Southeastern tackled the problem head on, reaching out to show teens and teenagers that the items are really prescriptions for sometimes life-threatening negative effects.
The goal of our project ended up being to raise awareness about the illicit utilization of bath salts and synthetic marijuana,” says Melissa Dawson, a senior student nurse and something of the coordinators of the project. “We desired to educate high school students about identifying these drugs abuse, their own health effects, and the legal ramifications.”
Senior student nurses at Southeastern are required to take part in a Capstone Project in which they approach a public ailment and work to educate a particular population. The student nurses distributed handouts and talked one-on-one to highschool and middle school students who took part in Rock-n-Roar, an event held every spring at Southeastern with the regional literary rally.
“We presented written handouts coupled with a display at the event that offered info on side effects, names, legal aspect, and identifying information for example photos,” says Dawson. “We were able to reach a lot of teens from 16 different parishes in Louisiana.”
Their presentation included several tips, such as the marketing of these products to teenagers and the fact that both products are now illegal and carry harmful negative effects. Included among the side effects are seizures, increased blood pressure level, nausea and vomiting, severe paranoia, elevated heartbeat, aggression and hallucinations. Additionally, the use of bath salts carries long-term effects such as kidney failure, lack of function for up to three days days, and drug-induced death or suicide.
Dawson asserted already in 2011 the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported over 1,700 installments of poisoning due to synthetic marijuana. Tangipahoa Parish has already established nine cases of poisoning because of bath salts, with East Baton Rouge Parish ranking the greatest in Louisiana with 20 cases just between January and early February.
“We were amazed at the number of teens who were acquainted with the bath salt drugs already,” said Dawson. “Many teens knew a considerable amount about the synthetic marijuana and were saying the drugs were simple to attain. Either they or someone they knew had tried synthetic marijuana or bath salts.”
Currently 14 states, including Louisiana, have banned synthetic marijuana, and Louisiana can also be one of eight states to ban the sale from the bath salts. The researchers do clarify the products should not be confused with common bath products.
“The items we’re discussing aren't sold in bath or beauty stores,” the scholars stated.
The project was conducted by Dawson, Hayley Bertucci, Emma Miller, Chris Prosperie, Jessica Low, Laura Roeling, Alfredo Gutierrez, Rebecca Daigle and John Penton. They worked underneath the guidance of nursing instructor Sherri Ellis.
“We hope anyone who has used or have thought about with such drugs will make a healthy decision on their own,” said the researchers. “Abusers hope to notice a high similar to marijuana, however, many users ultimately end up in the er.”
Several senior nursing students at Southeastern tackled the problem head on, reaching out to show teens and teenagers that the items are really prescriptions for sometimes life-threatening negative effects.
The goal of our project ended up being to raise awareness about the illicit utilization of bath salts and synthetic marijuana,” says Melissa Dawson, a senior student nurse and something of the coordinators of the project. “We desired to educate high school students about identifying these drugs abuse, their own health effects, and the legal ramifications.”
Senior student nurses at Southeastern are required to take part in a Capstone Project in which they approach a public ailment and work to educate a particular population. The student nurses distributed handouts and talked one-on-one to highschool and middle school students who took part in Rock-n-Roar, an event held every spring at Southeastern with the regional literary rally.
“We presented written handouts coupled with a display at the event that offered info on side effects, names, legal aspect, and identifying information for example photos,” says Dawson. “We were able to reach a lot of teens from 16 different parishes in Louisiana.”
Their presentation included several tips, such as the marketing of these products to teenagers and the fact that both products are now illegal and carry harmful negative effects. Included among the side effects are seizures, increased blood pressure level, nausea and vomiting, severe paranoia, elevated heartbeat, aggression and hallucinations. Additionally, the use of bath salts carries long-term effects such as kidney failure, lack of function for up to three days days, and drug-induced death or suicide.
Dawson asserted already in 2011 the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported over 1,700 installments of poisoning due to synthetic marijuana. Tangipahoa Parish has already established nine cases of poisoning because of bath salts, with East Baton Rouge Parish ranking the greatest in Louisiana with 20 cases just between January and early February.
“We were amazed at the number of teens who were acquainted with the bath salt drugs already,” said Dawson. “Many teens knew a considerable amount about the synthetic marijuana and were saying the drugs were simple to attain. Either they or someone they knew had tried synthetic marijuana or bath salts.”
Currently 14 states, including Louisiana, have banned synthetic marijuana, and Louisiana can also be one of eight states to ban the sale from the bath salts. The researchers do clarify the products should not be confused with common bath products.
“The items we’re discussing aren't sold in bath or beauty stores,” the scholars stated.
The project was conducted by Dawson, Hayley Bertucci, Emma Miller, Chris Prosperie, Jessica Low, Laura Roeling, Alfredo Gutierrez, Rebecca Daigle and John Penton. They worked underneath the guidance of nursing instructor Sherri Ellis.
“We hope anyone who has used or have thought about with such drugs will make a healthy decision on their own,” said the researchers. “Abusers hope to notice a high similar to marijuana, however, many users ultimately end up in the er.”
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