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MARQUETTE -- An outbreak of a new, dangerous substance, known as "bath salts," has sent more than 65 Michigan residents to the emergency room in the last six months, and most of the instances have occurred right here in the U.P.

Officials have been struggling to stop the spread of this powerful stimulant disguised as women's bath salts.  Upper Michigan health departments have banned the sale of the dangerous substance, but that hasn't stopped people from obtaining it and using it.

It's not your mother's bath salt; it may be marketed as such, but it's actually a powerful stimulant, a designer drug with effects like cocaine, causing hallucinations, paranoia and in some cases, extreme violence.

"It's been reported as a bad high and it's extremely addictive, and as evidence that we've had people present at the emergency rooms be treated, released...against medical advice, retake the bath salt and show again later in the day," said Marquette Health Officer, Fred Benzie.

It's a drug so powerful that it can kill.  There's been one death linked to white rush in Marquette.

"He had been using white rush--he had been snorting it--and he died of an overdose from the substance," said Chief Prosecuting Attorney, Matt Wiese.

Amy L Supanich posted on our Facebook page:  "The substance is being sold at the Backroom Bookstore."  But we visited the shop Monday, and we were told they pulled the powder from their shelves after a health department ordinance banned its sale in February."

During our visit this afternoon, we didn't find any white rush, but even with the health department's ordinance, apparently the substance can still be found.  The Marquette Police respond to up to three incidents a week, but there's little they can do.  They say the biggest problem they have with bath salts is they cannot arrest people on the spot, purely for using the substance.    

"Part of the appeal is that people are obtaining it thinking, well I can't get arrested for this now."    

Why?  Right now, there's no law prohibiting their use or possession.  But that's all about to change.  House Bill 4565 is moving toward approval in Lansing, and it would make possession, use and delivery of bath salts illegal.

If passed, the bill is expected to take effect August 1, and possession, use and distribution of bath salts will then become a felony.