HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-30 Police - “Bath salts” present within the city PORT TOWNSEND POLICE DEPARTMENT
1925 Blaine Street, Suite 100
Port Townsend WA 98368'+
Phone: (360)385-2322
Fax: (360)379-4438
Conner Daily, Chief of Police
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Friday, November 30, 2012
Contact: Officer Luke Bogues 4747
Phone: (360) 531-2836
Email: Ibogues @cityofpt.us
Incident No.: N/A
"Bath salts" present within the city
In September 2012 officers were dispatched to a Port Townsend home for a report of a 14-year-old male
assaulting his father. The juvenile was arrested at the time for domestic violence assault.
During the course of the investigation, the police department obtained a capsule filled with a white,powdery
substance. The capsule had been hidden in the bathroom where the son had locked himself prior to police
arrival. The substance was sent to the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory for analysis.
On November 19, 2012 the Crime Lab returned its report. The substance was found to be
Meth@enedioxymethcathinone, or Meth @one for short. It is one of the substances commonly referred to in the
media as"bath salts."
Following receipt of the Crime Lab report, the juvenile male was additionally charged with possession of a
controlled substance. On October 21, 2011 the federal Drug Enforcement Agency issued an emergency ban on
Meth @one, making it illegal to possess. Washington State followed suit on November 1, 2011.
This is the first, and currently only known, instance of the Port Townsend Police Department encountering
"bath salts" within the city. It is especially concerning because of the age of the juvenile in possession of the
substance. School Resource Officer Garin Williams said he is not aware of other reports of synthetic stimulants
at Port Townsend schools.
Parents and concerned citizens suspecting children using drugs have resources available to them. Partnership for
a Drug-Free America is online at www.drugfree.org, and has a parents' toll-free hotline at 1-855-DRUG-FREE.
Officers are also available to assist with drug investigations by calling 9-1-1 or non-emergency dispatch at
360-385-3831 ext. 1.
More information on the substance and its effects are available online:
http://www.justice.gov/dea/druginfo/drug_data_sheets/Bath_Salts.pdf
444