Air Force has new weapon in fight against Spice

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Air Force has new weapon in fight against Spice

Posted 2/22/2011

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by G.W. Pomeroy
Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs

2/22/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force officials began drug testing Airmen Feb. 22 to determine whether they are using Spice -- the street term for a range of designer synthetic-cannabinoid products.

With the implementation of testing, officials intend to send a very clear message: use Spice, and you may lose your career, end up in jail or both, officials said.

Spice, also commonly referred to as herbal incense, is mistakenly perceived by some Airmen as a legal or safe alternative to marijuana," said Dr. Aaron Jacobs, the Air Force Drug Testing program manager.

Side effects can include panic attacks, hallucinations, delusions, vomiting, increased agitation and dilated pupils, he said.

"Additional harmful effects are still unknown, so individuals are taking significant risks to their health when they use Spice," he said.

Drug Enforcement Administration officials recently took steps toward listing five chemicals used to make Spice as schedule I controlled substances, meaning they will be illegal to possess, distribute or manufacture in the U.S.

According to the DEA website, this action was taken as an emergency measure due to an increasing number of reports from poison control centers, hospitals and law enforcement agencies regarding these products.

Use of these substances is strictly prohibited for Airmen. The prohibition is contained both in AFI 44-120, Military Drug Demand Reduction Program and the AFGM to AFI 44-121, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program.

Airmen who use Spice are subject to prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Air Force officials have taken disciplinary action against Airmen identified as using Spice and continue to aggressively enforce the prohibition through courts-martial and nonjudicial punishment.

In 2010, 177 Airmen received nonjudicial punishment for using Spice and another 83 Airmen faced Spice charges at courts-martial.

Air Force Drug Testing Lab technicians will utilize the expertise of the Armed Forces Medical Examiners Systems to conduct the specialized testing.

Dr. Jacobs added that the Air Force is also mounting a robust education and awareness campaign to ensure all Airmen understand the risks of possessing and/or consuming these dangerous products.

Comments

3/2/2011 3:13:18 PM ET
This synthetic crap is only a problem because Marijuana is illegal. Marijuana has never been linked to any adverse side effects or deaths yet tobacco and alcohol are still legal even with the harmful things we know about them. Marijuana also has many medical benefits the medical community is finally starting to admit. Thousands of people die every year from prescriptions but since pharmaceutical companies are allowed to pedal their drugs we just overlook all of the deaths and health problems their products cause. The real hypocrisy is even with the medical benefits of Marijuana it is a schedule 1 drug yet cocaine is only a schedule II drug because it can be used as a topical anesthetic. Even more ridicules is the fact that Marinol a synthetic form of THC is a schedule III drug doctors can prescribe WITH refills. But again since the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry makes Marinol it is perfectly fine to use yet natural Marijuana is as illegal as heroin.

Jason, Hill AFB

3/2/2011 11:59:49 AM ET
The department of defense is constantly locking for ways to protect us and our families. If spice and its effects on our system are harmful it should be banned. Alcohol and cigarettes are also harmful to us - that's why there are programs in place to help Soldiers quit these destructive habits. We don't have to copy or do what society does. In the military we have duties to comply with. I believe that in the near future alcohol and smoking will be banned from the Military, it's just a matter of time. We have to think on our families, mission and commitment to our country. Directives like this have a purpose. Like all other things in life we have a choice to do right or wrong. Those two words are self explanatory. Which one is you? This is America. It's simple...what is best for all, good or bad? It's up to every one of us to make the right choice.

SSG J BASCOVSKY USA, LOS ALAMITOS CA

3/1/2011 3:23:46 PM ET
Ok, lets get serious. You took an oath and I am sure that many of you have said that oath more than once. So if you have an issue with the military testing for any type of substance then I believe you should not take that oath again. We in the military have a professionalism to adhere to, so if there are individuals in the military who want to do drugs, let them. They will get caught, as they should.

Rhonda, RIANG

2/28/2011 7:02:40 PM ET
Ok, if spice is now illegal for the military then so be it, but let's keep it fair. If a legal substance is now illegal because it has negative effects on our Airmen then ban them ALL, alcohol and cigarettes especially. Let's see how high the horse stands when you get home and can't have a drink or a smoke because someone else said so.

Equality, CA

2/28/2011 11:05:33 AM ET
So you're saying that if an active duty individual uses mind altering substances they should just get out or be forced out, right? There are a multitude of substances that alter perception and impair judgment...should we just ban any substance that alters the mind or body? I dont know about anyone else but I joined to protect people's rights, not take them away. If we're going that route we might as well be under communist rule. Just a thought.

Dave, FL

2/24/2011 8:46:29 PM ET
IMO as a memeber of the Armed Forces it should be a no-brainer about using mind altering substances. If you want to take part in such activities get out first. My 2 cents.

Anthony, Nellis AFB

2/24/2011 6:17:41 PM ET
I agree with SSgt. JDark, but until then we have to follow the rules even if they don't make sense...it's our job. Shut up and Color.

SrA M, LEWIS-MCCHORD

2/24/2011 5:09:03 PM ET
I agree with SGT JDark. They haven't fully tested these drugs to know what kind of mind altering effects it could have. Regardless it is not the drug that makes the person do the things they do but instead the person them self or people around them. Drugs don't make choices for you you make choices on your own. You make the choice to use the drug or not use the drug you make the choice to commit suicide or not commit suicide. There's no magical powers in plants that make you commit suicide or some other sort of crime. In fact most crimes are committed do to the other influences in one's life such as friends or family. I myself have never seen anyone overdose on marijuana or spice for that matter but I have seen someone crash a car and kill themselves first hand while under the influence of alcohol. As far as the health factors go tobacco is just as dangerous as any drug to your health but there is no ban on that and so is fatty foods but their not going to get rid of burger king.

Airmen Snuffy, CA

2/24/2011 4:56:42 PM ET
I do believe that it is now illegal civilian wide in california anyways. It's so contradictory that one subtance is illegal while another one like alcohol is widely accepted and abused. Kicking out people that like to abuse substances seems to be double standard. We should all follow the rules though...bottom line really. Just wait until you get out if you want it that bad.

Amn McCarn, Travis AFB

2/24/2011 3:18:16 PM ET
Yes you're right, we are in the USAF, which is controlled by the same government that made these substances legal in the first place. I can understand the control testing and disciplinary actions for an individual found to be using spice or the numerous chemicals that have recently been made illegal, but what about the legal substances that are still being sold that do not contain the offending chemicals? Items of this nature should be treated the same to include alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and any other LEGAL intoxicants. People are going to use in excess, its just the nature of some people but that doesnt have to have a negative impact on the ones that don't. I agree with you JDark.

Dave, FL

2/24/2011 2:53:54 PM ET
I think you need to review your party habits if panic attacks, hallucinations and delusions are common side effects of whatever you are drinking.

edward, HAFB

2/24/2011 2:26:11 PM ET
You can go to the BX and buy cigarettes which can kill people, and you can buy alcohol which alters the mind as well and can kill people. I don't use drugs and never will, but what's the difference between Spice and a weekend of drinking or smoking cigarettes everyday?

DS, WPAFB

2/24/2011 11:26:34 AM ET
After reading what has been writen it looks like some people are defending the use of a drug that is considered Illegal. So knowing that, why do it? If that is your choice then so be it and help the AF downsize and save others who want to be here. I just don't see it or the point even after trying to understand it. The legal things like alcohol are controlled but some still go above and beyond by driving or coming to work. Bottom line, YOU'RE in the United States Air Force, its a priviledge not a right and not everyone has or should be in the military. And those that are set the example and are held to a higher standard as that is what you represent. This isn't the gameroom in your parents house or chillin' with friends in the civilian world where it is no big deal. The choice is yours.

SSGT Alex G, LAFB

2/24/2011 10:50:30 AM ET
So sgt. Jdark, you're saying it's ok to be under the influence if you're not hurting or affecting anyone? REALLY?

Ly, OK

2/24/2011 10:46:45 AM ET
SGT JDark: your ending comments disturb me. What you're saying is if an airman does not show any tangible signs of being under the influence that makes the BEHAVIOR okay? How is this SAFE for others? Did you not learn anything from risk management and assessment briefings? Being under the influence of narcotics, drugs, etc, carries the POTENTIAL RISK of harming oneself and/or others because it affects one's reasoning abilities. Tobacco and caffeine do not impair good judgment or reasoning, and the country has already dealt with Prohibition by repealing the 18th Amendment.

Steve, Tampa

2/23/2011 8:09:29 PM ET
Over 400000 people die from tobacco use in the United States alone. Approx 80000 people have died from being directly attributed from alcohol. Between 1 and 10000 people die from the effects caused by caffeine. Yet we still sell those mind altering substances on base in the AAFES Stores while making another substance illegal where it then transfers to the black market for the drug dealers who by the way don't ask our children for ID Let's stop punishing for what people put into their bodies and instead punish them for their actions. So if Airman/Colonel Snuffy is under the influence of any substance and hasn't been proven to disrupt his work performance or endanger the safety of others then leave him alone. Now if Airman/Colonel Snuffy decides to be under the influence and get in a motor vehicle then he is affecting the safety of others and should be a law enforcement issue. The real problem with drugs is Drug Prohibition.

SGT JDark, Minot AFB ND

2/23/2011 1:23:49 PM ET
Funny how the DEA automatically classifies something as schedule 1 without any significant testing, trials or oversight. Seems like a knee-jerk reaction stemming from fear....

C Nyland, Vandenberg AFB

2/23/2011 12:31:52 PM ET
A lot of states have yet to make Spice illegal but Air Force leaders at almost every level have issued orders to their Airmen not to use the substance. So you might be able to buy it legally but if you're wearing a uniform you can't USE it legally.

PB, US

2/23/2011 7:50:12 AM ET
Side effects of panic attacks, hallucinations, delusions, vomiting, increased agitation and dilated pupils - sounds a lot like a weekend drinking binge to me.

dp, Wyoming

2/23/2011 1:50:24 AM ET
As I read this article it makes me ponder what are these Airman thinking pushing the envelope of whats right and wrong. Seriously, if you are using a product other than intended it's probably illegal.

David, Aviano AB

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