I have a very noisy cat. The Bean. He’s a Bengal. If you know anything about this breed they come from Abyssinians and Asian Leopard Cats, a wild breed. The Bean is a nocturnal roamer who can make about 100 different sounds, some of which are as if he’s dying. Not to worry all his yaps translate to “ME.” We call him Mr. Me Me Me. After all, it’s all about him.
But that’s not the cat we’re talking about here.
Just when you thought taking a soak in the tub was a great stress reliever, a new player enters the picture.
Miaow Miaow is mephedrone, a potentially dangerous synthetic derivative of the active drug in the East African Khat plant. It is similar in structure and action to Ecstasy and Methamphetamine. And it’s legal. So far.
This new drug of abuse can be found in some plant foods, incense products, and bath salts. Inhaling its fumes gives the “herbal high” and could be potentially deadly. Yes, your bath salts could kill you. This is a growing problem for drug enforcement but for writers it’s a new drug to play with.
The Crime Fiction Writer's Blog 
Teresa
June 14, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Lovely cat. He’s really unusual looking.
We’re cat crazy at our house. We have three, all rescues. Blossom (because of her flatulence) Kita, and Trouble. Trouble was the runt of the bunch, until recently. Now he weighs in at 17 pounds. And he lives up to his name on a regular basis. He doesn’t know how to meow. Worrisome since I’m concerned if he were in trouble( stuck somewhere) he wouldn’t be able to let us know.
As for the drug, I had wondered what the bath salt thing was all about. Could it be concentrated to strengthen the affects. It would be a wonderful way to bump someone off. A nosy neighbor, or a disagreeable in-law. In a book of course.
Very interesting post.
Teresa Reasor
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D.P. Lyle, MD
June 14, 2011 at 2:16 pm
It would be difficult to concentrate above what the concentration was in the salt product but if the dose were big enough it could easily be deadly.
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Denise Dietz
June 14, 2011 at 4:16 pm
They had something about “bath salts” on…60 Minutes? Easy to get. VERY easy to get. I’m glad you explained because I saw your Facebook post and pic and wondered 🙂
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Fiona
June 14, 2011 at 9:36 pm
The “Bath Salts” drug has caused a few problems here in my part of Washington state. Recently, we had a husband and wife who took it. The husband shot his wife and then himself (in their car). When the police went to their home, they found the couple’s baby had also been killed.
Nasty drug!
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EP
June 14, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Glad to know I’m not the only person with a Bengal who can make sounds like he’s dying. Our cats aren’t allowed outside, but we do let them out in our garage. I’m truly surprised the ASPCA hasn’t visited our house yet because a neighbor has called them to complain of our animal “cruelty.” It honestly sounds like we’re beating him. It’s so embarrassing….
And, yes, it is all about him. Must be another Bengal trait!
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D.P. Lyle, MD
June 15, 2011 at 9:10 am
I understand. Our guy stands on the balcony and screams at the neighbors. They think we’re torturing him—the exact opposite is true–he tortures us.
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katsheridan
June 14, 2011 at 10:20 pm
My understanding is that the “bath salts” mentioned here are nothing like the actual stuff you put in your bath tub; that the name “bath salt” is just a misnomer/nickname. Is that true?
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D.P. Lyle, MD
June 15, 2011 at 9:09 am
Yes, it’s a clever and smoke screened marketing and sales ploy.
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KAth
June 16, 2011 at 5:56 pm
YEOW!!! Bath salts! What’s next?
You know they say cats only talk to humans. All that ‘meouwww’ing is conversation. So my cat talks all night long and seriously thinks I’m listening. Wait. I am.
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