Police concerned with synthetic drug causing deaths in Cache County

By Sophia Blankmeyer

With the death rate being higher than previous years, local police are concerned with the synthetic drug, bath salt, in Cache County. 

The drug, which is similar to methamphetamine, has been emerging in Cache County. Vendors market the drug as legitimate bath salts, saying it is not for human consumption, to avoid suspicion.

“We have identified bath salt users in several different communities in Cache County, from Hyrum to Smithfield and from Logan to Mendon,” said Sgt. Shand Nazer of the Logan City Police Department. 

Bath salt users in Cache County have been found using not only the dangerous drug, but also mixing it with methamphetamine to create another realm of hallucinations and delusions. 

Officer Kent Harris with Utah State University Police Department is aware of the presence of bath salt in Cache County. 

“We want them to make all good decisions, that’s why,” Harris said. “We are here to help these students understand that it is not worth the risk.” 

Drug ‘Pink’ found in North Logan

By Sophia Blankmeyer

Police believe a synthetic opioid that arrived in North Logan in November is appearing in the Cache Valley community. 

A 30-year-old man, who was not named by police, was found by coworkers when he overdosed in November. It is believed by officials that the 30-year-old man purchased pink online and still could have access to it. 

“I think it is brought from other states... there was a large lab in Salt Lake City that was producing pink and we still suspect there is some pink in Logan,” Nazer said. 

U-47700, otherwise known as “pink,” is a powerful synthetic opioid that has similar effects to morphine and is eight times more powerful than heroin. The drug is accessible, as proven by two 13-year-old boys from Park City who had it sent to them by mail in October. 

The drug has not yet been declared illegal in Utah. Further investigation is underway that may lead to its declaration as a substance I controlled substance drugs that have no current medical use and high potential for abuse. Currently, the drug is legal in all but Florida, Ohio, Wyoming and Georgia. 

 “Soon as we get the drugs labeled and through the legislation to become illegal, the manufactures modify the chemical makeup and we end up always chasing these new drugs,” said Sergeant Travis Dunn, of the Utah State University Police Department.