Was Bath Salts to Blame in Miami Zombie Attack?

By Bill Klump | @TheKlumper

While the world wonders what happened last weekend when a naked man ate the face of another naked man in Miami, the licensed doctors and therapists at Journey Healing Centers (drug and alcohol treatment centers) agree with the police theory that Bath Salts may be the cause.  Based on treating clients with designer drug addictions, this man’s bizarre behavior makes sense.  While the causes of this brutal attack and deadly shooting are unconfirmed, Journey Healing Centers wants to raise awareness of the clues to avoid future incidents.

Because 31-yr-old Rudy Eugene did not stop eating the other man after being shot by police, Fraternal Order of Police President Armando Aguilar told CNN affiliate WPLG that he believes Eugene might have been high on Bath Salts.

What is even more shocking is the ease of availability and increase in addiction cases for this dangerous designer drug.  Jaime Vinck, Journey Healing Centers Clinical Director, was just interviewed on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, by AZ Family/ Channel 3 in Phoenix about Bath Salts.  Jaime stressed that Bath Salts are a growing problem, “Today alone, I’ve worked with three people, new clients, who have been addicted to Bath Salts.” One of Jaime’s former clients, who wishes to remain anonymous, also shared, “I started having very psychotic type of symptoms, hearing voices, I could have sworn I was seeing things.” Full interview,http://www.azfamily.com/news/national/Bath-salts-may-be-to-blame-in-Miami-face-eating-attack–155581835.html

Bath Salts have been called the “new LSD”, and can provide very powerful feelings where someone feels invincible. Dr. Ravi Chandiramani, Journey Healing Centers Medical Director, shared his observations, ” While very little is known about the long-term effects of this drug and others like it, Bath Salts have been associated with a variety of adverse behavioral/mental health and medical effects, including heart attack, seizure, anxiety/panic attacks and aggression to name a few.”

Lisa Lannon, Journey Healing Centers Co-Founder, shared her experiences as a Former Law Enforcement Officer,“We would always take extra back-up if someone was suspected to be on LSD because they tend to exhibit above average strength.”  In response to why this man was naked, Lisa Lannon expanded, “I’m not surprised because research says Bath Salts may heat up or give the sensation that your organs/internal body are burning hot.”

In this bizarre man-eating case, Rudy Eugene had previous arrests, mostly for marijuana related charges.  The licensed doctors and therapists at Journey Healing Centers also believe that marijuana is a gateway drug that often leads to harder drugs. Since Bath Salts are easy to find, inexpensive, and don’t show up on drug tests, it explains why many are turning to this designer drug.

At this point, 34 states restrict or outright ban some of the chemicals in Bath Salts, according to the DEA.  The challenge is that many distributors are finding ways around the ban.  Education is going to be the prevention key. Dr Ravi Chandiramani, emphasized this warning to anyone thinking about trying these designer drugs, “There is nothing threatening about names such as Ivory Wave and Vanilla Sky however; using Bath Salt products sold under these names can be the most dangerous thing you ever do.”