There always seems to be loopholes in everything in life. It was only evident in the justice system, but that is no longer the case now. There is a loophole involving drugs. People use drugs for various reasons, but the most common reason is to get “high.” Everyone knows drugs are illegal and bad for the body; however, there is a new drug, or rather herb that causes the same effects as the hallucinogens.
Salvia Divinorum is an herb, originating in Mexico, but has made its way up to the U.S.A. and it is legal. Originally salvia was used by medicine men to foresee “visions” of the future. The herb caused the men to hallucinate, which was the desired effect. The duration of the hallucination is not as long as other drugs; it only lasts for about twenty seconds to two minutes. Similar to other drugs it has to be chewed or smoked. According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) as of February 2008, about 1.8 million people aged 12 and over, used salvia and 750,000 people in the last year used this drug. Additionally, males are more likely to use than females. This drug attracts the younger age groups as opposed to the older age groups, specifically between eighteen and twenty-five years if age.
This is the drug of the younger generations. Teenagers have been known to video tape their experiences on the drug and place them on Youtube.com. The world is able to see what it does to the body, while some teenagers find it wrong; others find humor in their peer’s experiences. With teens doing this is has made many criticize the government for not putting more controls on this drug.
Salvia Divinorum is as potent as it is because of Salvinorin A. Salvinorin A is dangerous because it is the only the only naturally occurring substance that induces hallucinations. The plant, itself, is part of the mint family, which is a common herb in many households. Not much is known about the drugs long term effects because it has not been studied a lot. The Department of Health and Human Services is now undertaking the task to research it.
The reason it is so frightening because it causes the same effects as other drugs, hallucinations, and loss of body movements, dizziness and slurred speech. It is also very easy to buy. If a person were to Google it, countless websites are available to buy it. Salvia is a very inexpensive to buy, costing only eleven to sixteen dollars. Not only that, but most of the websites give information on how to use the drug to get the desired effect of the user. Some sites do give warnings and tell the user to have a sober person watching over them but not all of them have those disclaimers. The “street” names for salvia are “Sally-D,” “Ska Maria,” and “Diviner’s Sage.”
The Controlled Substance Act (CSA) does not regulate the drug, but Illinois is trying to put it in legislation to put some regulations on salvia. They are also trying to make is considered a controlled substance, which could make salvia an illegal drug. Until this law is passed, though people are free to use the drug as they wish. Not only are they free to use it, but they can grow it as well. Salvia can be purchased in any form. Illinois, however, does have it listed as Schedule II substances. Other states have made it illegal to posses the substance and to be under the age of 18. The days of going down dark alleys to buy drugs are over. The loophole has been found, and it has left the government racing to catch up to it.
By Rachel Vaca, staff writer
