"Bath salts" is a name for a type of synthetic drug that can cause significant intoxication and inhibit a person's ability behind the wheel. Getting high on bath salts and getting behind the wheel of a vehicle may lead to a charge of driving while under the influence (DUI) in Cobb County, Georgia.

If you or someone you care for has been arrested for DUI, an experienced Cobb County DUI attorney is here to defend your case to reduce or even dismiss your charges.

What are Bath Salts?

Bath salts are synthetic cathinones, which are extremely psychoactive substances like mephedrone, and they usually come in the form of crystals (thus the nickname). They are typically sold as cheap substitutes for other substances like methamphetamine, cocaine, or ecstasy. Street names for bath salts include bliss, cloud nine, vanilla sky, lunar wave, stardust, and plant fertilizer or food.

Effects of Bath Salts

Bath salts create a "high" similar to that of ingesting methamphetamine, which commonly includes

• euphoria,
• hallucinations,
• increase in wakefulness or concentration,
• rapid heart rate,
• chest pain,
• high blood pressure,
• seizures, and
• tremors.

When individuals take large amounts of the drug, it can cause psychosis, severe panic attacks, confusion, insomnia, and violent behavior.

Effects on Driving

The effects of bath salts on the mind and body translate to significant and often extremely serious effects on a person's ability to drive. These effects include the following.

• Heart attacks which can lead to a car crash.
• Unpredictable driving behavior.
• Aggressive or violent driving.
• Falling asleep at the wheel.
• Distractability.
• Inability to control motor functions.

Testing for Drug DUI

Unlike a DUI caused by alcohol, there is no roadside breathalyzer test that can determine whether a driver is under the influence of drugs. However, certain methods are employed by Georgia law enforcement to detect the influence of drugs.

Field Sobriety Tests

Police officers can require drivers to take certain roadside tests, such as the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, walk-and-turn-test, and one-leg balance test. These tests are notoriously inaccurate and can result in false positives which lead to your arrest.

Roadside Checkpoints

Roadside checkpoints are set up to screen every driver which passes through them for signs of intoxication. These signs include

• slurred speech,
• bloodshot eyes,
• odor or visible presence of drugs or alcohol,
• agitated behavior, and
• inability to process commands or directions.

Roadside checkpoints are subject to strict requirements for them to be valid. An experienced Cobb County DUI attorney can analyze the checkpoint for any flaws, which may result in dismissal of your case if flaws are found.

Consult a Cobb County DUI Attorney

A charge of DUI for drugs can lead to very serious consequences for your rights and freedoms. You may lose your ability to drive, face high fines, or spend time in local jail or even state prison. Remember, just because you are charged with a crime does not mean that you are guilty.

An experienced Cobb County DUI attorney is here to protect your rights. Contact us today.