US Senate bans substances in synthetic drugs

The US Senate has passed legislation banning a host of chemicals in synthetic drugs.  The banned substances include those associated with synthetic marijuana, synthetic hallucinogens, and the drugs commonly known as bath salts. The legislation will now go to the president's desk for approval.  At least one death in Onondaga County has been attributed to bath salts. The chemicals have also been connected to a series of bizarre and often violent incidents throughout the region.  Emergency personnel have seen a dramatic increase in the number of incidents involving synthetic drugs, while poison control centers have also seen a climb in cases associated with the substances.