Salvia - a high you will regret

  • Published
  • By Office of the Staff Judge Advocate
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Judge Advocate
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  According to Air Force Office of Special Investigations, use of the herb Salvia is prevalent in the community surrounding Travis, and some Travis Airmen are abusing this drug.

In recent months, while investigating other drug offenses, Airmen have been found with Salvia in addition to other controlled substances. Unfortunately, many Airmen mistakenly believe that because they can purchase Salvia on the internet or locally, use by military members is permissible, however this is not the case.

Salvia, sometimes known as Sally D or Magic Mint, is one of a number of otherwise legal substances that are smoked or ingested by users seeking to get high. A member of the mint family, this herb is a hallucinogen similar to other banned substances such as LSD. The effects include hallucinations, anxiety and a sense of loss of body as well as a loss of coordination, dizziness and slurred speech. The high experienced by Salvia users lasts approximately 30 minutes. Salvia has no approved medical uses in the United States.

To date, a number of states have made possession, distribution and use of Salvia criminal. For example, the state of Florida has made possession or sale of Salvia a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Other states, including California, have placed limitations on the distribution of Salvia. While the federal government has not yet added Salvia to the list of scheduled substances, the Drug Enforcement Agency has listed it as a Drug and Chemical of Concern.

For military members, use of Salvia is not only dangerous, but can result in criminal prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice Article 134, and is a mandatory basis for discharge under AFI 36-3208. According to Col. Ken Theurer, 60th AMW Staff Judge Advocate, "initiative and innovation by our young Airmen are extremely valuable traits that serve the Air Force well. Regrettably, a small number of Airmen use these same traits to avoid their responsibilities as members of the Air Force. When it comes to drug use, these Airmen need to understand that the UCMJ offers commanders flexibility to address any activities that threaten good order and discipline."

Over the years, Article 134 of the UCMJ has been used to prosecute the misuse of non-controlled substances. As a result, several Airmen have faced confinement and punitive discharges from the Air Force. Further, AFI 36-3208 defines drug abuse as "any intoxicating substance, other than alcohol, that is inhaled, injected, consumed or introduced into the body in any manner for purposes of altering mood or function."

Initiating of discharge from the Air Force is mandatory for drug abusers. The characterization of that discharge will almost always be either a general or under other than honorable conditions. 

Once discharged, Airmen will likely lose all benefits to include the Montgomery GI Bill.