Pubdate: Mon, 03 Mar 2008 Source: Henderson Oracle (AR Edu) Copyright: 2008 Henderson Oracle Contact: http://www.hsuoracle.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4712 Author: Lauren Larey Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/salvia (Salvia) DRUG GAINS ATTENTION, REMAINS LEGAL-FOR NOW Although the drug is rapidly catching the interest of all ages, some have never heard of Salvia divenorum, also known as diviner's sage or Ska Maria Pastora. The abuse of Salvia can cause intense hallucinations. Even smoking small quantities can affect perception and senses. These effects can result in abusers harming themselves and others. According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, abusers report that the negative long-term effects of Salvia may be similar to those produced by other hallucinogens, including depression, perception disorder, "flashbacks" and schizophrenia. Salvia is a plant that belongs to the sage family. Generally, the plant's leaves are smoked in a pipe or bong, and must be inhaled deeply and held inside the lungs for at least 20 seconds to achieve the maximum effect. If done correctly, the user should experience a "trip" that lasts from five to 25 minutes. The plant can also be chewed or brewed into a tea for a lengthier high. Salvia is sold in several different levels that are color-coded for clarity, with the greatest potency being labeled with a warning sticker. Most users prefer to have a non-smoker nearby, incase of inability to control their own actions. "It's a pleasant high," said Sarah Beard, freshman mass media major, "but if you aren't prepared for it, you might freak out." When freshman recreation major Jon-Michael Bergeron received the invitation to try Salvia for the first time, he was surprised to experience only weak effects. After feeling comfortable with the drug and seeing how little it changed his behavior the first time around, accepting the offer for the second time was easy. "The first time I used it, I just laughed a lot," said Bergeron, "but the second time, it hit me so much harder." According to Daniel Siebert, an independent researcher and the creator of sagewisdom.org, Salvia has been proven to have many short-term effects. During a trip, different states can occur: 2-dimensional hallucinations, out of body experiences, becoming an object, traveling back in time, being in more than one place at once and uncontrolled laughing. "Colors were brighter, everything was alive, and I was alive with it," said Beard. Beard said she ran to tell a friend and stopped on the way to "talk to George Clinton on a spaceship." Salvia is legal in most states, but many professionals in the medical field still have little or no knowledge about the substance or its effects. "With any drug that causes hallucinations, there is always a chance of damaging brain cells," said Shelbi Eason, a registered nurse at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. Although Salvia is often placed in the same category as other drugs, users beg to differ. "LSD and 'shrooms give you a euphoric feeling," said Bergeron, "With Salvia, you're not happy at all." Salvia is not regulated under the Controlled Subtances Act. However, the Drug Enforcement Administration does label Salvia divenorum as a drug of concern and is monitoring reports of the drug's abuse nationwide. Salvia is illegal in Missouri, Louisiana, Tennessee and Delaware. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom