SALVIA: A LEGAL HALLUCINOGEN

If you haven't yet heard, a new hallucinogenic drug called salvia
divinorum has found its way onto the NIU campus. Whether this is a
good thing or not, it's completely legal in Illinois for anyone 18 or older.

According to the University of Maryland's substance abuse research
site, salvia is a hallucinogenic plant that is native to Mexico. In
August 2002, researchers discovered that this drug had
hallucinogenic qualities, and that by oral ingestion it would have
psychoactive effects. According to this Website, some of
these effects include feelings of floatation, spinning and hallucinations.

Students who are aware of salvia have probably heard people have
reacted to it. Friends of mine who have experimented with this drug
have shared stories, such as being a gnome or walking into a floating box.

"One kid [I know] thought he was a vampire and was stuck like that,"
said freshman mechanical engineering major Chris Skowronski. "It was
a really bad experience for him."

It's outrageous stories like these that have fueled my curiosity to
try this drug, as I'm sure it fuels yours, too.

For the sake of informing students and despite the warnings some
have given me, I decided to try salvia. I merely assumed this drug
was safe simply because it is legal. Unfortunately, there is very
little health information known about salvia. Researchers don't
even know how prolonged use can affect the brain and
body, according to the University of Maryland's substance abuse
research site. Regardless, it was something I had to experience for myself.

I found Salvia at Smokers World, 818 W. Lincoln Highway. Salvia has
no label. It came in just a plastic bag and looked like dried leaves.

I smoked crushed Salvia leaves with drops of concentrated Salvia
extract on them (there are differing potencies of this extract
available, which enhance the altered state to different levels) in a
glass pipe. After the third puff, I completely forgot everything
about me. I was in a different world but the room looked exactly the
same; I felt as if I was moving and the room was moving with me.
Minutes passed and I was back to reality. Perspiration covered my
face and arms. The experience was not quite like the stories I have
heard, but Salvia definitely made me feel like I've never felt
before. The feeling was indescribable.

Based on the limited amount of people who are aware of this drug,
Salvia still doesn't compare to the popularity of drinking alcohol
or smoking marijuana on campus, despite its mind-blowing effects.
Salvia's effects are too intense and short to be used as a party
drug. Some people are afraid to even use the drug at all because the
drug tends to affect people differently, and there has not been a
lot of research on the subject.

Freshman accounting major Lawson Dees said that he would never try salvia.

"I don't know how it will affect my body," said Dees. "I don't want
to be addicted to anything. The idea of hallucinating and not being
under control is not high on my list. I think any substance that
causes you to potentially lose control in a situation should not be legal."

Actually, Salvia is not legal everywhere and has not been proven to
be 100 percent safe. Salvia is illegal in four different states and
five different countries. Over time, this may change since the list
of countries that prohibit salvia is constantly growing.

Like any other substance, such as alcohol and cigarettes, using
salvia will probably have some undesired effects with prolonged use.
But this has not yet proved or disproved.

Salvia may not even stay legal in Illinois for long. It is always
best to stay away from new drugs even when it comes to medication
because there are many discoveries that may arise in the future.

For now, salvia's legality is up to its users. If Salvia users start
to abuse Salvia or use it while driving, the government will most
likely question it. If you decide to try this drug, use it
responsibly. Salvia's effects, though short, cannot be underestimated.