MONCTON, NB – Plans to make a key ingredient of the controversial street drug “bath salts” a controlled substance is being applauded by Canadian law enforcement.

Fredericton Police Chief Barry MacKnight, who chairs a drug abuse committee for the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police says adding Methylenedioxypyrovalerone or MDPV to the controlled drugs and substances act is the first step to getting the drug off the streets….

“It will place the drug in the same category as heroin and cocaine….and sends a strong message to those thinking about using it or dealing in it that it’s something that carries serious consequences.” says MacKnight.

MacKnight says although bath salts have been around for a few years, they have just begun to surface in New Brunswick.

“I think there have been some incidents in the Greater Saint John area but we haven’t seen any in Fredericton.  That’s not to say it isn’t there.   Is this a rampant problem in New Brunswick right now?  I would say no.”  says MacKnight.

The drug can cause hallucinations and violent behaviour and has been linked to a gruesome attack on a homeless man in Miami, Florida.