To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

And according to Governor Andrew Cuomo and state officials, the use of bath salts and other synthetic drugs in Upstate New York have been on the rise.

"Today, by regulation of the Department of Health in the State of New York, it is illegal to sell these substances," Cuomo announced Tuesday.

Dr. Gregory Young, the Department of Health’s Acting Associate Commissioner said the regulations were approved during an emergency meeting.

"We'll expand the existing list of drugs and chemicals to include dozens of new substances that are now being made to syntheisize these drugs, ensuring that distributors can no longer skirt the law," Young said.

Giving local and state law enforcement, like Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita, the ability to enforce these new regulations.

"The regulations issued today, will for the first time, provide both for the owner of the establishment and for the employee selling synthetic drugs to be charged with selling an illicit substance," he said.

According to state officials, 191 emergency room visits in Upstate New York were the direct result of the drugs sold under the names of White Lightning, Snow Leopard and Vanilla Sky to name a few; 120 of those occuring in just the last two months, among them the 28-year-old brother of Brandi Smith.

"It needs to stop, it needs to stop now and I don't want to see anybody ever hurt the way my brother hurts and the way my family hurts," Smith said.

Smith said his addiction and erratic behavior have cost him his business and custody of his two children. She said he purchased the drug from a local smokeshop.

Following Tuesday's announcement, the shop's owner and employees and others like them can be fined up to $500 and face 15 days in jail, though Cuomo said those penalties could increase if needed.

"It is against the law and you can go to jail for sale or possession of this poison of this drug," he said.

The Governor also announced a new, toll-free hotline for residents to report information on the distribution of synthetic drugs, that number is 1-888-99 SALTS and is now open for use.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.