MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - A new drug is hitting the streets of Memphis and it can make you psychotic, even suicidal. Teens are now using a drug called "bullet premium glass cleaner," also known as "eight ballz glass cleaner," and this not your mother's Windex. This is a white powdery substance, a synthetic drug very similar to bath salts that mimics methamphetamine.
Doctors say glass cleaner acts like cocaine. People can snort it or inject it and when that happens you're not only putting your own body at risk but you are a danger to others.
"They can be highly psychotic, agitated, and combative,” said Baptist Hospital ER Director Dr. Stanley Thompson.
Dr. Thompson was referring to people he's treated in the emergency room who use synthetic drugs like bath salts or glass cleaners. Some have died. He says the number of people abusing it is getting worse every year. The reason is because the drugs can easily be purchased online and they're highly addicting.
“It can make you feel invincible. You think you can fly and the next thing you know you're jumping off on top of a building,” Dr. Thompson said.
Memphis Police have arrested teens and adults using glass cleaner. Dr. Thompson says the drug is like bath salts.
"It's still illegal and it's changing names trying to throw authorities off,” said Dr. Thompson. "When they peel the glass cleaner part of the label it says bath salt underneath the label."
We were able to find multiple websites selling the glass cleaner. People are posting online that the drug is "safe" in "small doses." Doctor Thompson says that's ludicrous.
"You can't dose this like your aspirin 81mg or 325, you just don't know. Somebody made this in their garage so you don't know what's in it. You don't know how much will produce a high versus making you completely psychotic,” he said.
Or worse, you may end up in an emergency room and never wake up. Dr. Thompson says glass cleaner can cause permanent brain damage.
