LAWS TARGET PLANT

As legislators in Columbus move to outlaw the distribution of a
hallucinogenic herb found on the Internet, an area law professor says
purveyors of the plant unethically target teens and young
adults. Salvia divinorum is a plant native to Mexico that recently has
become an Internet sensation. Countless Web sites tout its
mind-altering effects and encourage prospective customers to "take a
ride." However what is not being revealed is the danger the plant
poses to users - despite being legal.

"Is this a harmless drug - no not at all," Tiffin University Criminal
Justice Assistant Professor Jonathan Appel told The Evening Leader.
"It is a very strong psychedelic drug."

Nicknamed Sage of the Seers, Magic Mint and Sally-D, salvia is a
hallucinogen with leaves that can be smoked, chewed or brewed into
tea. While it resembles LSD or PCP, the drug's effects last a fraction
of the time - approximately 30 minutes. However during that time,
Appel said a user can lose control of their body and mind.

"A person can lose total awareness of their surroundings," Appel said.
"They could be somewhere else which can put them into another mood. If
they try and drive a car or walk down steps, it could be (trouble)."

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Web site,
salvia is a perennial herb in the mint family native to certain areas
of the Sierra Mazateca region of Oaxaca, Mexico.

The plant, which can grow to over 3 feet in height, has large green
leaves, hollow square stems and white flowers with purple calyces and
can grow successfully outside of this region.

Effects of the plant include perceptions of bright lights, vivid
colors and other shapes as well as object distortion. Other side
effects include laughter, overlapping realities and
hallucinations.

"It is a very unique, active substance on your brain," Appel said.
"There is still research going on (about it)."

Appel, who also serves as a substance abuse counselor, said he first
found out about salvia four years ago during a meeting. Following the
meeting, Appel said he decided to research the drug and its effects.

"I was giving a lecture and there happened to be a teacher who asked
if I had heard about this," Appel said. "No one in the substance abuse
field was writing about it so I dug a bit deeper. I said we needed to
summarize what we know about it and publish summary research."

Appel said he researched the drug on the Internet and found videos
showing people experiencing a high on salvia.

Appel also said he found dozens of Web sites that list instructions on
to use the plant to get high.

"This is all over the Internet and the pro-recreational drug using
crowd was touting the marvelous (effects)," Appel said. "They were
exchanging videos and some even gave detailed instructions."

Despite its current legal status, Appel said parents should be aware
of the drug. Published media reports say investigators in Delaware
believe the drug played a role in the death of a depressed teen who
told his parents of his salvia use prior to his suicide.

"Absolutely there should be some concern and the issue is who these
people are targeting," Appel said. "In some respect they are operating
a business without ethics. Young people are very vulnerable to what is
on the Internet and there are people out there who want to make a buck
and realize they can target them."

Often touted as the "next marijuana" in media reports, Appel called
the assertion a form of sensationalized reporting. Appel said the drug
lacks many of t he features that makes marijuana and other drugs
appealing to addicts.

"Salvia will be this short-lived thing," Appel said. "In my opinion
there won't be much of an underground (market) because there just
isn't that much of a return high. It's not going to be the new
marijuana - there just won't be heavy usage."

Several states have legislation pending that would make salvia and its
derivatives a controlled substance and place it into a category with
illicit drugs. Representatives in Ohio recently passed House Bill 215,
a measure to make salvia a schedule I drug.

"My feeling is if they regulate it, something new will come along,"
Appel said. "Should it be regulated, absolutely. If it's not, is it
going to be left running like meth, no. I just don't think there will
be that many people using it once it is illegal. "

St. Marys Police Sgt. Jake Sutton said he is aware of the salvia
phenomena circulating around the Internet. However Sutton said he has
yet to come into contact with the plant in the area.

"We were all being briefed on this last year and we got some pictures
of it," Sutton said. "We have talked about it but I don't think we've
had any incidents with it."

While it currently is legal, Sutton said that should not stop parents
from talking with their children about the dangers of using
mind-altering substances.

"As with any drug, they should be talking about it," Sutton said. "One
drug leads to another."