DEA Takes Action on 'Bath Salts'

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said it will ban three chemicals found in products marketed as "" that, when ingested, produce a high users liken to cocaine or methamphetamine.

The DEA says the synthetic stimulants are dangerous and cause impaired perception, reduced motor control, disorientation, extreme paranoia and violent episodes.

Teens and young adults sniff, inject or smoke the crystals, authorities say.

The "bath salts," with names like Ivory Wave, Bliss and Vanilla Sky, are sold at small retail stores and gas stations.

The temporary ban on the three stimulants -- Mephedrone, MDPV and Methylone -- will start in 30 days and last a year. It may then become permanent.

The DEA took the same action earlier this year with "synthetic marijuana" products like , banning five chemicals found in the leafy material, which is marketed as herbal incense but which is often rolled into cigarettes and smoked to produce a high similar to marijuana.

While local retailers like  on Prospect Road removed K2 from their shelves, it was quickly replaced by products like  which contain slightly different high-producing chemicals that are legal.