Citation

Hoover V, Marlowe DB, Patapis NS, Festinger DS, Forman RF. J. Subst. Abuse Treat. 2007; 35(1): 22-27.

Affiliation

Treatment Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, 600 Public Ledger Bldg., 150 South Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jsat.2007.07.011

PMID

17931827

Abstract

This study determined the degree to which Salvia divinorum, a potent hallucinogenic drug that is legal in most U.S. jurisdictions, is being proffered for sale over the Internet and how it is being characterized on popular Web sites. Search results revealed that between one half and two thirds (58%) of the Web sites either offered to sell S. divinorum or linked to other Web sites offering to sell the drug and that more than three quarters (78%) of the Web sites advocated for its use. Many of the statements issued on the Web sites were erroneous or falsely interpreted the absence of scientific data on the possible side effects of S. divinorum as evidence that no side effect exists. The portrayal and availability of S. divinorum on the Internet are similar to those of other illicit and prescription drugs of abuse. However, much less is known about the short- and long-term effects of this novel drug. Consequently, there is little basis to contradict the many Web sites that encourage its use. Implications for drug policy, prevention, and treatment are discussed.

Language: en