HARRISBURG - The Senate unanimously approved its own bill Tuesday to ban the sale of "bath salts" and other dangerous synthetic drugs.
The Senate action to ban bath salts, synthetic marijuana and salvia divinorum came one month after the House approved similar legislation by a unanimous vote.
Despite the movement of separate bills, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi,
R-9, Chester, predicted that legislative action on this issue will be wrapped up soon.
He said a common ban bill will be put on Gov. Tom Corbett's desk for signing within 30 to 45 days.
This action can't happen fast enough for the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, which is calling for a ban law on the books before schools recess for the summer.
Statewide solution needed
Dauphin County District Attorney Edward Marsico, the association president, said a statewide solution is needed to avoid a potential epidemic of drug overdoses among children. He warned of the tendency of drug users to feel extreme paranoia and commit violent acts.
Lackawanna and Luzerne counties recently imposed local injunctions against the sale of these drugs and other municipalities are taking similar action.
The Senate bill, like its House counterpart, places chemical compounds used in the manufacture of these products on the list of controlled substances.
This measure by Sen. Elder Vogel, R-47, Beaver, adds chemical compounds for salvia divinorum, a hallucinogenic herb mixture, and synthetic marijuana, cocaine and heroin to the list.
"Let's hope and pray this bill moves quickly," said Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-18, Lower Saucon Twp. She began an effort five years ago to add salvia to the list of controlled substances after learning of a young man who committed suicide after using the hallucinogenic.
Bath salts use is responsible for a large number of involuntary commitments recently to mental health facilities in the region, said Sen. John Gordner, R-27, Berwick.