'Spice' can take toll on Air Force career Published Aug. 25, 2010 By Senior Airman Stephanie Tipton 81st Medical Operations Squadron KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Most commonly known as Spice, this designer drug goes by various names such as Blue-Lotus, K-2 and J-dub. Though the use of the substance is prohibited throughout the Department of Defense, there's been a recent influx of Keesler members being charged with failure to obey a regulation for possession and use of Spice. In the past year, 26 drug-related discharges have been processed. Spice, the drug of use in many of these discharges, is treated no differently than any other drug. As stated in Air Force Instruction 44-121 3.5.6, possession or use of Spice is a direct violation of Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, failure to obey order or regulation, and can result in administrative or disciplinary action including loss of security clearance, demotion, court-martial or even discharge. So what is Spice? This product is being sold in head shops, smoke shops and online as an herbal incense or potpourri for $30-$40 per three grams which is comparable to marijuana. Recently, south Mississippi counties and cities have enacted laws prohibiting the sale of such substances. Research has shown that Spice is completely manmade and contains virtually no plant ingredients. The synthetic cannabinoids in the product mimic tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, found in marijuana that can impair one's judgment for up to seven days. Though the packaging is marked "not for human consumption," it's being smoked to obtain a marijuana-like high. Since Spice is an unregulated drug, any one package could contain more harmful side-effects than the next, including vomiting, hallucinations, seizures and dangerously elevated blood pressure. According to a story at www.livescience.com, the creator of the drug, chemist John Huffman, reported that Spice is about 10 times more active than THC and has proven itself that much more dangerous. He stated more research is needed, since many of the side effects show the cardiovascular system is being affected. When Dr. Huffman was asked his opinion on the severity of the side-effects, he said, "It's like playing Russian roulette. You don't know what it's going to do to you." Long-term effects from using this product currently are unknown, as Spice was never tested on humans. According to Air Force Instruction 44-121, the Air Force doesn't tolerate the illegal or improper use of drugs by Air Force personnel. Any substance used with the intention of getting high or to alter mind or mood is prohibited. Any use of illicit drugs is incompatible with Air Force standards and will automatically place an individual's continued service in jeopardy. For more information on Spice, call the alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment office, 376-3452.