With the problem of both illegal drugs and illegal prescription drugs on the rise, now residents have yet another designer drug that is being hailed as just as dangerous as methamphetamine, crack cocaine and others.

In fact, the situation was bad enough in neighboring Tennessee that state’s attorney general and others made a statewide seizure recently of “Molly’s Plant Food” and are trying to shut down the manufacture and distribution of that and another drug “Rave-On” bath salts.

In mid-February, Cookeville Regional Medical Center issued a press release warning parents about those two types of dangerous and potentially deadly drugs, prior to state officials taking steps to get them off store shelves.

The release noted that local agencies in Putnam County were teaming together in an effort to get word out to parents about the drug that is sold as “plant food” and “bath salts,” and could be purchased at convenience stores, smoke shops and novelty stores.

Because the substance was legal and easy to obtain, many think it is not dangerous. However, according to the medical center’s press release, “it has caused some local teens and adults to be hospitalized in critical condition and some have experienced long-lasting effects still present after discharge from the hospital. Although many of the effects of this new drug are unknown, it is known there is potential for long-term neurological effects including brain damage or even death.

The drug in these products is new and is called mephedrone, or 4-methyl methcathinone. Tagged as “designer drugs,” these products are sold as a household product and have “not for human consumption” listed on their packaging. The chemical make-up of these products make them useless for the advertised purpose and is actually extremely similar to that of the commonly known street drug methamphetamine.

How do you know that someone is taking this drug? Persons taking these drugs may seem very happy, feel an increased sense of love/desire for intimacy as well as have a greater willingness to talk than usual. Users may appear calm and under control and then may suddenly change without warning and be easily agitated and aggressive. They have a false perception of their actions which can easily lead to doing things that may cause injury or even death. Users will typically have a very fast heart rate, large pupils in their eyes and may experience insomnia, going for prolonged periods without sleep. They may even experience worm-like body movements and high body temperatures. If you find yourself dealing with someone using this drug, remember that your safety is the primary concern and call 911 immediately.

Persons are encouraged to speak with their children about the dangers of this. In addition, residents are encouraged to contact their senators and representatives to show support in favor of banning these substances.