Stop Chugging ‘Catnip Cocktail,’ Essex County Police Chief Warns

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — People are allegedly chugging Catnip Cocktail, a liquid used to sedate pets, and it’s extremely difficult to prosecute due to a legal “loophole” that an Essex County police chief wants closed.

Last week, the Fairfield Police Department issued an advisory about Catnip Cocktail, a liquid that is supposed to be strictly used to sedate cats and not to be consumed by humans. According to the FPD, there have been two recent cases – one of which happened on Nov. 1 – involving the misuse of the drug.

In both instances, the people were “found to be acting extremely irrational and incoherent” after consuming it. Both required immediate medical attention, police said.

“Because this product is not yet listed as a controlled dangerous substance, the prosecutor’s office has not been able to authorize criminal charges for either its possession or use,” FPD Chief Anthony Manna said.

“We are making the public aware of the increased misuse of this extremely dangerous product to hopefully curtail others from doing it,” Manna continued. “We are going to work diligently with county, state and federal legislators and law enforcement officials to have this product listed as a controlled dangerous substance in order to take away the loophole that currently exists in the law preventing criminal charges.”

The company’s website bills the substance as an “anxiety relief supplement for cats and dogs.” It clearly states that the product is “NOT approved for human consumption.”

According to the website:

“If this product is ingested by humans, accidentally, or otherwise, the manufacturer assumes no responsibility nor liability for any harm which may occur as a result from that use.”

According to Fairfield police, an example of why the substance should be listed as a CDS took place around 2 p.m. on Nov. 1, when an officer pulled over a BMW on Route 46 that was allegedly being operated in “an erratic manner.”

When the officer spoke to the 40-year-old driver, a Kenilworth resident, he appeared “extremely confused” and was “totally unaware of his surroundings and unable to answer simple questions,” authorities said.

After the officer unsuccessfully tried to administer a field sobriety test to the man, he became suspicious that the motorist was “under the influence of something.” The officer arrested the man, later finding eight bottles of Catnip Cocktail in his car, authorities said.

At headquarters the driver allegedly began yelling obscenities and ululating with high-pitched screams. His behavior was so “bizarre” that local authorities transported him by ambulance to a nearby hospital, police said.

Authorities eventually charged him with driving under the influence, refusing to submit to a breath test and driving under the influence in a school zone, police said.

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Photo: Fairfield Police Department