Drug Alert Watch - Bath Salts



2C-E

Minnesota made national news on March 16, 2011 when a 19 year old male died and 10 of his friends (ages 16 - 21) were hospitalized after using 2C-E (synthetic hallucinogen).  In response to this tragedy, the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill that added substances known as 2C-E and 2C-I, plant food, bath salts, and synthetic cannabinoids to the list of Schedule I drugs in the controlled substances chapter of MN law. The Governor has stated he will sign the bill into law.

In addition to Minnesota's response to the abuse of synthetic substances, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a "Drug Alert Watch" to law enforcement and public health officials regarding the increase in the abuse of synthetic substances. 

 The DOJ in their drug alert stated, "Law enforcement officials throughout the country are reporting that products promoted as bath salts have become prevalent as a drug of abuse. Bath salts have recently appeared in some of the same retail outlets that previously sold synthetic cannabinoid products such as K2 and Spice, and also are available via the Internet. Bath salts are abused as recreational drugs typically by injection, smoking, snorting, and, less often, by the use of an atomizer. Effects include agitation, an intense high, euphoria, extreme energy, hallucinations, insomnia, and making abusers easy to anger. Preliminary testing indicates that the active ingredients in many brands contain MDPV (3,4- methylenedioxypyrovalerone) and/or mephedrone." ¹

Can I use "bath salts" in the Air Force?

Yes, if you are using the bath salts that are made for bathing.  However, if you use the bath salts without legal justification or excuse, and use the salts contrary to the directions of the manufacturer or prescribing health care provider, and the use of any intoxicating substances not intended for human ingestion (AFI 44-120, Attachment 1.), then the member is considered to have wrongfully used synthetic substances (bath salts) and the member can be prosecuted under UCMJ for the wrongful use of those substances.

Bath Salts


Specifications on Bath Salts:

Description: White, odorless, fine-powder;  a tan, brown powdery substance; colorless oil; or clear gelatin capsules.

Common Effects: Similar to methamphetamine, ecstasy, and cocaine. The drug can increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, chest pains, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations and death.

Packaging: Small jars – The packaging usually has a disclaimer that states, “not for human consumption" on the product.

Can be bought at: Convenience stores, discount tobacco outlets, gas stations, pawnshops, tattoo, parlors, truck stops, and Internet sites.

Common Names: Blue Silk, Charge+, Ivory Snow, Ivory Wave, Ocean Burst, Pure Ivory, Purple Wave, Snow Leopard, Stardust (Star Dust), Vanilla Sky, White Dove, White Knight, and White Lightening, and Blizzard.

Users: Primary users are male or female from the ages of 15 to their late 40s with an extensive history of drug abuse.

Cost: $25 to $50 per 50-milligrams

¹Drug Alert Watch, U.S. Department of Justice, SENTRY Watch, http://www.justice.gov/ndic/sentry/, EWS Report 000007, 17 December 2010.





Prohibited Supplements

The United States Air Force does not have a formal list of banned supplements, substances or products. So how do you know what products, or supplements are safe to use?

Basic Guidelines to Determine the Safe Use of Supplements and Substances

• Products that contain hemp seed or hemp seed oils are prohibited (AFI 44-121, section 3.5.5.).
• Products that contain DEA Schedule I Controlled Substances are prohibited (AFI 44-120, Attachment 1).
• The wrongful use of anabolic steroids is prohibited (AFI 44-120, Section 2.9.).
• The wrongful use of a drug prescription is prohibited (AFI 44-120, Attachment 1).
• The use of another person's drug prescription is prohibited (AFI 44-120, Attachment 1).
• Any controlled substances (DEA Schedule I, II, III, IV, V), other than alcohol, that is inhaled, injected, consumed, or introduced into the body in a manner to alter mood or function is prohibited (AFI 44-120, Attachment 1).
• TAKE ANY SUPPLEMENTS AT YOUR OWN RISK.  The FDA does not approve supplements therefore the supplements may contain additional substances not listed in the ingredients.
• Read the labels on supplements and vitamins.  If you do not know the ingredient, then look it up at U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before using the supplement or vitamin.
• The local Health and Wellness Center can assist you in determining what fitness enhancing products and vitamins that are safe to use.

Definitions

Wrongful Use means without legal justification or excuse, and includes use contrary to the directions of the manufacturer or prescribing health care provider, and the use of any intoxicating substances not intended for human ingestion (AFI 44-120, Attachment 1.)

Schedule I Controlled Substances have a high potential for abuse, have no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and there is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.

References

1. Banned Substances in Fitness Supplements, A1C Candy Miller, 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs, http://www.sheppard.af.mil/news/story_Print.asp?id=123116615.
2. COMUSAFE Bans Several Substances, 1Lt J.D. Griffin, USAFE Public Affairs, http://www.usafe.af.mil/news/story_Print.asp?id=123131253.
3. Buyer Beware: Steroids, Hemp Seed Products Off-Limits to Air Force Members, Capt. Sean McKenna, Air Force Space Command Public Affairs, http://www.defense.gov/specials/drugawareness/usafnews02a.html.

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JACK3D Supplements

The drug testing lab has determined the supplement called JACK3D does not contain any ingredients that would cause a positive drug test result.  Please pass this information on to your members and if you or your members have any questions regarding supplements, please contact my office.

I have enclosed the e-mail  from the Chief of the ADAPT / DDR Branch for the Air Force Medical Operations Agency for your reference.

Sent out by e-mail on 9 May 2011.

"The AF Drug Testing Lab and my office have received numerous inquiries about this product since Friday.  The lead toxicologist at the lab has reviewed the manufacturer's list of ingredients and has concluded that there is nothing in it that would result in a positive urinalysis for methamphetamine or anything else.  We have sent this information through the MAJCOM behavioral health consultants for distribution to their DDR program managers to hopefully quell the rumors. Please let me know if you need additional information."

Lt Col Mark S. Oordt
Chief, ADAPT / DDR Branch
HQ Air Force Medical Operations Agency

Male verses Female: Who is more likely to use illicit drugs?

The article was written on 11 November 2010 by the Center for Behavior Health Statistics and Quality for public distribution.  Permission has been granted to reprint the article.

                                             934 AW Drug Demand Reduction Program


Source:  Data Spotlight, SAMHSA Center for Behavior Health Statistics and Quality

Article Title:  Female Veterans Aged 20 to 39 Less Likely to Use Most Substances than Male Counterparts

The proportion of women in the military has grown exponentially since the Vietnam war, and increasingly women have been deployed to combat areas not just as nurses but also as combat support troops. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that in 2009 there were approximately 1.8 million female veterans in the United States. Many of these women had faced the same service-related stressors as their male counterparts, as well as the additional stressors attendant to being a female in a male-dominated profession.¹

Although some studies have shown that, overall, veterans are more likely than nonveterans to use substances,² there are few available published data that compare rates of substance use between female and male veterans. Data from the 2002 to 2009 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs) showed that female veterans were significantly less likely than their male counterparts to engage in binge alcohol use, smoke cigarettes, or use any illicit drugs, including marijuana (Figure). However, female and male veterans were equally likely to engage in nonmedical use of prescription-type drugs.

¹Febbraro, A. R., & Gill, R. M. (2010). Gender and military psychology. In J. C. Chrisler & D. R. McCreary (Eds.), Handbook of gender research in psychology. Vol 2: Gender research in social and applied psychology (pp. 671-696). New York: Springer,

² Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies. (November 10, 2005). The NSDUH Report: Substance use, dependence, and treatment among veterans. Rockville, MD