As Maine continues to crack down on bath salts, the federal government should send a message by making the substance illegal throughout the country.

U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe announced last week that she is co-sponsoring legislation that would amend the Controlled Substances Act to make bath salts illegal in the United States.

Bath salts are made of the synthetic chemicals called MDPV and Mephedrone, and are unregulated psychoactive substances that provide highs similar to those from amphetamines, Ecstasy and cocaine. The drug is being imported from other countries, largely through the Internet. It’s sold under a variety of names, such as Monkey Dust and Vanilla Sky.

The name “bath salts” comes from packaging that has been used to disguise it, but the drug has no relationship to a product used in baths, according to the Associated Press.

Bath salts were made illegal in Maine about two months ago ”“ and 31 other states also have bans.

Also in Maine, Gov. Paul LePage is pushing to toughen penalties on people who possess or sell the drug. His proposal upgrades offenses from misdemeanors to felonies, which would mean longer jail terms. Possession, with a previous conviction, would become a felony. Trafficking and aggravated trafficking would also become felonies.

The Associated Press reported police in Maine have seen a surge in bath salts cases across the state, raising concerns about the violent reaction it often causes in users, which makes them a threat to themselves and others, police say.

From January to July, the Northern New England Poison Center received 87 calls from Maine reporting instances of people in need of help after taking the bath salts. By September, the numbers increased to 121.

Northern New England Poison Center Director Karen Simone said a tougher law will have an impact in Maine. She said some of the other states where tougher laws have been passed to control bath salts ”“ notably Florida and Louisiana ”“ have seen use of the drug decrease greatly. But, she warned, tougher laws need to be compounded with vigilant eradication efforts to ensure the use remains low.

There is no reason for federal legislators not to pass a ban on this substance, and increase the severity of punishment and fines for offenders and traffickers. Congress should move swiftly to ban this dangerous substance.

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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via e-mail at kristenm@journaltribune.com.