MADISON, W.Va. — Authorities in Boone County says they’ve noticed an increase in the use of wasp spray as the newest method of getting high. Although it’s a rather new form of illicit use of the product locally, it’s not a new concept.
“It looks like it’s in Ohio, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Dakota, and now in West Virginia. It looks like it may have started in Ohio from what I can tell,” said Boone County Delegate Rodney Miller, a former sheriff.
According to Miller use of the material is known on the street as “wasping” and it’s apparently refined in the same way other everyday products are used to crate homemade meth.
“The use of it appears very similar to what folks use for methamphetamine, or meth labs,” Miller said.
There have been a growing number of reports of using the material. Miller said originally the use of the material, which contains pyrethroids as the active ingredient, was mixed with meth,but now has replaced meth and people are using it alone to achieve the high.
“It’s not an illegal substance,but it’s a cheaper substances. A five dollar can of wasp spray in a local store, sure beats the street price of drugs,” he said.
Miller worries it’s just the next hing to come along and notes it’s impossible to regulate every potential ingredient which can be turned into a mind-altering substance when misused.
Pyrethroids will cause erratic behavior as well as severe swelling of the feat and hands and severe redness in those areas. Officials say after a couple of uses the material can be deadly.
“It’s serious stuff and they are starting to see it more and more.”