Drug gains attention, remains legal-for now
Lauren Larey
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: Features
"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.
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.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
swyftyswyf
posted 3/13/08 @ 2:33 PM CST
I am constantly disturbed by the messages portrayed by the media regarding Salvia Divinorum. Why does everyone assume this drug should be outlawed? Is it not possible that scare tactics are being used in order for the DEA to have the power to say yet another natural plant that has intoxicating effects should be banned? The federal government has yet to schedule Salvia Divinorum as a controlled substance because of lack of evidence. (Continued…)
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