Spice, incense and potpourri; not your normal holiday fragrances

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tong Duong
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  With the holidays here, many Wolf Pack members may be expecting care packages to get them through the festive times and to take their mind off from being away from family.
Whether it is clothing, treats or certain fragrance items, base members should be aware some things cannot be sent through the US postal service.

Fragrant or "smell good" items labeled Spice, Incense or Potpourri are actually cover names for synthetic marijuana or Salvia Divinorum. Also known as K2, Spice Diamond, Spice Gold, Spice Silver, Bliss, Black Mamba and many others.

The Air Force does not tolerate the illegal or improper use of drugs by Air Force personnel.

Air Force instructions AFI 44-120 Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program* states Airmen caught using spice could be found in violation of Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, face a dishonorable discharge, confinement up to two years, and total forfeiture of all pay and allowances. Members also face reduction to the lowest grade.

According to whitehouse.gov, the effects of synthetic marijuana include agitation, extreme nervousness, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia (fast, racing heartbeat), elevated blood pressure, tremors and seizures, hallucinations, and dilated pupils.

To combat synthetic drug shipments to Kunsan, the 8th Security Forces Squadron's Military Working Dog handlers conduct sweeps of inbound packages to the base. (Times and duration are withheld for security reasons.)

"I am here with my MWD Iian, a nine-year-old Belgian Malinois, to conduct a post office sweep to find explosives and narcotics," said Senior Airman Adam Smith, 8th SFS MWD handler. "This base is a drug-free zone and just showing our presence has a psychological deterrence for anyone watching us do the sweeps."

*AFI 44-120 1.1.6. In order to ensure military readiness; safeguard the health and wellness of the force; and maintain good order and discipline in the service, the knowing use of any intoxicating substance, other than the lawful use of alcohol or tobacco products, that is inhaled, injected, consumed, or introduced into the body in any manner to alter mood or function is prohibited. These substances include, but are not limited to, controlled substance analogues (e.g., designer drugs such as "spice" that are not otherwise controlled substances); inhalants, propellants, solvents, household chemicals, and other substances used for "huffing"; prescription or over-the-counter medications when used in a manner contrary to their intended medical purpose or in excess of the prescribed dosage; and naturally occurring intoxicating substances (e.g., Salvia divinorum). The possession of any intoxicating substance described in this paragraph, if done with the intent to use in a manner that would alter mood or function, is also prohibited. Failure to comply with the prohibitions contained in this paragraph is a violation of Article 92, UCMJ.