POWERFUL HALLUCINOGEN

We would like to respond to the Feb. 23 editorial No need to ban
salvia on the Government of Canada's recent proposal to control
salvia divinorum and salvinorin A.

We want to eliminate the misconception that salvia is a safer
alternative to street drugs.

It is not.

Salvia divinorum, and its active ingredient salvinorin A, can produce
powerful hallucinations similar to those associated with the use of
the well-known hallucinogen LSD, which is a controlled substance.
Other effects include confusion, disorientation and anxiety.

In Canada, about seven per cent of youth aged 15 to 24 have tried
salvia. This represents about 300,000 young people -- a rate that is
similar to that for cocaine and ecstasy, and a rate much higher than
that for LSD.

The move to control these substances is also consistent with actions
taken by several other countries, such as Australia, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, South Korea, Spain
and Sweden. All have placed similar controls on the import and/or
sale of salvia divinorum and/or salvinorin A. Some U.S. states have
taken action to restrict their use, sale and/or distribution.

Leona Aglukkaq

Minister of Health

Ottawa