News Search

News

18th Wing battles spice use

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  In 2011, nine teenagers were banned from all U.S. military bases in Japan due to spice-related incidents. This year alone there has been seven instances so far, shooting the annual statistic up 87 percent.

"If we can get together and unify against this," said Brig. Gen. Matthew Molloy, 18th Wing commander, during a town hall meeting with more than a hundred service members, civilians, and their families. "We can do what's needed to get this off of Kadena Air Base."

Spice, a synthetic form of marijuana, is herbs and spices sprayed with a chemical similar to Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. The drug is sold as incense, and under many other different names including K2, Moon Rocks and Yucatan Fire, these products are all labeled as "not for human consumption."

According to reports published on www.drugabuse.gov, spice can cause panic attacks, hallucinations and increased agitation. It can raise blood pressure and lead to a heart attack.

The drug not only affects the health of people using it; it also has legal ramifications as well. For service members, using spice will end a military career. Dependents caught with spice or distribution of the product may be subjected to barments, mandatory substance abuse counseling and community service.

"We need three things - to be aware, alert, and armed," the general said.