General order issued by AMC commander

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Renni Thornton
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A general order issued April 13 by Gen. Arthur Lichte, commander, Air Mobility Command strictly prohibits use of two intoxicating substances by all military members assigned within AMC. 

Gen. Arthur Lichte, commander, AMC, has ordered all AMC military members are prohibited from engaging in the possession, distribution, inhalation, smoking, chewing, consumption or introduction into the body in any manner Salvia Divinorum or Salvinorin A, commonly referred to as Salvia. Members are also prohibited from using any intoxicating substance such as Salvia and "Spice," also known as "Whip-its." 

Salvia, commonly distributed in leaf and extract form, is a psychoactive hallucinogenic plant. Reported effects include hallucinations similar to LSD. Other effects of the drug can cause intense and dangerous hallucinations, uncontrollable laughter, incoherent speech, changes in perception to include bright lights, vivid colors and shapes, object distortion and other psychological effects. High dosages can cause unconsciousness and short-term memory loss. The hallucinogen is also known as Magic Mint, Diviner's Sage, and Dalvia. 

Spice, also called Spice Silver, Spice Gold, Spice Diamond and Spice Smoking Blend, is a product sold by commercial sources. It can include a mixture of herbs and synthetic cannabinoid (cannabis or marijuana) compounds, both with psychoactive effects. 

According to researchers, some products are more potent than others. Most users smoke the substance, which may produce a euphoric feeling, similar to that of marijuana. The products are sometimes advertised as incense and "herbal smoking blends" or as marijuana substitutes. 

Gen. Lichte initiated the order after numerous reports of abuse of these drugs among military members within AMC. Abuse of these substances contradicts the nature of our profession of arms, threatens our military readiness and diminishes our ability to conduct the mission entrusted to us, according to the order. 

The use of intoxicating substances, other than alcohol, caffeine, tobacco or lawfully-used prescribed medications which are inhaled, injected, consumed or introduced into an individual military member for the purposes of becoming intoxicated, high, altering mood or function, or achieving a psychoactive effect is inconsistent with Department of Defense Directive 1010.4, Drug and Alcohol Abuse by DoD Personnel and Air Force Instructions 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen and 44-121, Alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment (ADAPT) program. 

Other prohibited illegal drug use emphasized in the general order include abusing over-the-counter nonprescription medications, inhaling or huffing, snorting, sniffing and bagging for the purpose of becoming intoxicated, high, altering mood or function, or achieving a psychoactive effect. 

Behavior with the intent of using substances other than alcohol, caffeine, or tobacco which are inhaled, injected consumed or otherwise introduced into the body for the purpose of becoming intoxicated, high, altering mood or function, or achieving a psychoactive effect is clearly prohibited. 

The order applies to all military members assigned or attached to AMC, including those assigned to tenants located on AMC bases, active duty personnel on temporary duty, Air Force Reserve Command personnel on orders or on inactive duty training status, and Air National Guard members upon mobilization assigned or attached within AMC. 

Local Air Force Office of Special Investigations officials concur that eventually law enforcement will catch the people who distribute or illegally use narcotics and other banned substances. This year has been even busier than last year for both SFS and AFOSI. With increasing deployments, the agencies would rather focus their efforts on the protection of fellow Airmen, not watch them end their careers, said base officials.