Area residents protesting, accusing one convenience store owner of selling bath salts
By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: May 4, 2012
It's illegal to sell and possess the synthetic drug, known as bath salts, in the state of New York.
And although bath salts have been banned, some people here at home are protesting the role of the drug in our community.
They're accusing a convenience store owner of selling it to their friends and family members.
Some residents are trying to raise awareness in their community, claiming that one store owner along Route 8 is selling this illegal substance.
They say they want something done before it's too late.
"You'll do anything to get the money. If you don't have it you will do anything to get the money," said Brandon Barletta of West Winfield.
Barletta says he's three weeks clean after almost dying from getting high off of the synthetic drug known as bath salts.
And although the substance has been banned in the state of New York, law enforcement says manufacturers are manipulating the ingredients in the drug.
Residents in Bridgewater and West Winfield gathered along Route 8 in front of a gas station and convenience store to protest the use of bath salts, accusing one convenience store owner of selling it to their families and friends.
"He used to sell it here. He claims he stopped selling it but I don't believe that is true and I think he is selling it and that's why we are here. We don't want it in our town," said Daniel Buss of Bridgewater.
"I almost lost my life from it. And this is the store we bought it from and he even gave it to me on credit if I didn't have money and if you come in he'd force it on you," said Barletta.
But, owner Johnny Singh who did not wish to comment on camera says he has nothing to hide.
Singh says he gave police permission to search his store and found nothing illegal.
He believes he's being targeted because of his race.
Susan Viox of Bridgewater says her daughter is addicted to bath salts and for the past four weeks has been rushed to the emergency room.
She says there are so many street names for this drug she didn't even realize she took her daughter to the convenience store to buy it.
"This is where she's come to jewelry cleaner is what they call it. She said mom I need jewelry cleaner and I took her here to buy it," said Viox.
Some protestors Eyewitness News spoke with say the drug is very addictive. They say when they did abuse the substance, they would hallucinate, be paranoid and one protestor even had a heart attack while using the drug.
