Staff writer, with CNAThe use of drugs containing synthetic cathinones, commonly known as “bath salts,” is becoming more prevalent in Taiwan and has led to 60 deaths this year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said yesterday. In 2000, cases related to abuse of synthetic cathinones such as mephedrone, methylone, ethylone and chloromethcathinone accounted for 0.4 percent of all confirmed drug cases handled by police, the administration said. Synthetic cathinones are central nervous system stimulants that mimic the effects of substances such as amphetamines and cocaine. Shaw Kai-ping (蕭開平), a section chief at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, said synthetic cathinones use can lead to agitation, hallucinations and heart problems. Sixty people in Taiwan have died so far this year after using synthetic cathinones, Hsiao said, adding that 70 percent of the fatalities were men, with an average age of 24.

Source: Taipei Times May 31, 2017 16:16 UTC