Efforts to fight a dangerous synthetic drug called bath salts appear to be paying off in the Vermont city of Barre.
Officials say calls to the police department and poison control center and visits to the emergency room have died down after a surge in use of the drug early this summer.
They attribute that to the state issuing an emergency rule to expand the list of bath salts and other compounds that are now illegal to sell, make or possess in Vermont.
The synthetic stimulants can cause hallucinations, violenc
e, paranoia, seizures, psychosis, and even death.
Gov. Peter Shumlin said Thursday that the state can't declare victory yet but the collective actions of government, public health officials and law enforcement are making a difference.
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