Air Force bans mood or function altering substances

  • Published
  • By Karen Guendel
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Recent changes to the Air Force Instruction governing the use of alcohol and drugs have placed mood or function altering substances, other than alcohol and tobacco, off limits to Airmen. Although many of these substances may be purchased legally in several states including Massachusetts, use of these substances by Airmen is now punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

The June 9 guidance memorandum for Air Force Instruction 44-121, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program, bans a wide range of substances, including household chemicals and designer drugs from being used to alter an Airman's mood or function.

Any substance which hampers the mental capacity of Airmen and/or greatly alters an Airman's mood significantly reduces the Airman's, and consequently the Air Force's, readiness and ability to accomplish the mission, said Capt. James Peeler, Electronic Systems Center Military Justice chief.

But the new guidance singles out two substances in particular: spice and salvia divinorum. Airmen need to be instructed on the new guidance to avoid the possibility of administrative and/or criminal punishment.

"When the men and women of the Air Force enter service, they must understand that they are held to a higher standard than their civilian peers," Captain Peeler said. "Just because a substance might be legal in certain civilian areas, Airmen fall within the jurisdiction of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and Air Force regulations 24 hours per day, 7 days per week - on and off base."

According to a May 18, 2010 Drug Alert Watch from the National Drug Intelligence Center, spice is a mixture of olive-colored herbs and synthetic cannabinoid, or marijuana-like, drugs that is smoked for its hallucinogenic effects. The alert states that spice is marketed on the internet and in "head shops" under several brand names including Spice, K2, Yucatan Fire, Solar Flare and Fire n' Ice and is often labeled "natural herbal incense."

According to a March 2, 2010 Drug Alert Watch, salvia divinorum is a perennial herb of the mint family with hallucinogenic properties similar those of LSD. Traditionally used in spiritual rituals of the Mazatec people of Mexico, it is most commonly smoked but can also be inhaled, imbibed as a drink or chewed, the alert states. It is commonly available in "head shops," smoke shops, and on the internet and goes by various names including diviner's sage, Sally-D and magic mint.

Neither spice nor salvia is currently controlled by the federal Controlled Substances Act, but both are listed by the DEA as "drugs or chemicals of concern." Many states have taken action to control the sale or use of these substances. According to the Drug Alert Watch for salvia, 37 states have introduced legislation to control the drug.

The state of Massachusetts has not outlawed all forms of spice and salvia. Some forms can be purchased legally; however, just because it can be legally bought does not mean it is allowed under stricter Air Force law, Captain Peeler said.

For Airmen in any state, the drugs are now off limits. Because use of the drugs is now punishable under the UCMJ, Airmen could face reprimands, Article 15s, involuntary discharges and courts-martial resulting in felony convictions and prison time.

The newly revised AFI is can be found on the Air Force e-Publishing website, www.e-publishing.af.mil, by searching for "AFI44-121".