Sept. 8, 2011 - Bath salts -- dangerous drugs sold with a wink to people seeking a "legal high" -- will soon be illegal to possess or sell in the U.S.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has invoked its emergency authority "necessary to protect the public from the imminent hazard posed by these dangerous chemicals."

The action will take effect 30 days from today. It will remain in effect for 12 months, with a possible six-month extension. This gives the Department of Health and Human Services time to lay the groundwork for a permanent law banning the drugs.

Specifically, the DEA action targets three of the drugs commonly sold as "bath salts," "plant food/fertilizer," or even as "toy cleaner." The drugs are among a large number of new designer drugs popping up in retail stores, head shops, and on the World Wide Web.

The drugs now declared to be Schedule I substances -- the most restricted category -- are: