AMC Commander signs general order prohibiting members from using intoxicating substances Published Dec. 8, 2010 By Air Mobility Command Staff Judge Advocate TRAVIS AIF FORCE BASE, Calif. -- On Nov. 2, Gen. Raymond E. Johns, Air Mobility Command Commander, signed a general order prohibiting all military members assigned or attached to AMC from using intoxicating substances. This prohibition encompasses chemical inhalants, over-the-counter nonprescription medications or any other substance, other than alcohol, caffeine or tobacco that is ingested for the purpose of becoming intoxicated, high, altering your mood or function or achieving a psychoactive effect. In addition, possessing, distributing or ingesting the hallucinogenic plant Salvia Divinorum (Salvia), or the mixture of herbs known as Spice is also prohibited. Salvia (or "salvia divinorum") is a psychoactive hallucinogenic plant. Salvinorin A is its psychoactive ingredient. Saliva is available commercially in both leaf and extract form. Ingestion may cause intense and dangerous psychedelic experience which may include hallucinations, uncontrollable laughter, incoherent speech, changes in perception, to include bright lights vivid colors and shapes and object distortion and other psychological effects. Reported effects include hallucination similar to using LSD. In high dosages, it can cause unconsciousness and short-term memory loss. Spice is a product sold by commercial sources. It can include a mixture of herbs and synthetic cannabiniod or cannabinoid-mimicking compounds, both with psychoactive effects. which are covered by this General Order. Since the effects of it's ingestion, commonly pursued through smoking, are similar to that caused by marijuana, it is often advertised as the legal substitute for marijuana. However, do not be fooled by this advertisement because the General Johns has determined such use is inconsistent with Department of Defense Directives and Air Force Instructions and could seriously undermine our mission and negatively impact the nation's security. Consequently, its possession, use or distribution is also prohibited. Inhalants are also addressed in this General Order. These are a diverse group of substances which include volatile solvents, aerosols, gases and nitrates which are huffed, sniffed, snorted or bagged to produce intoxicating effects similar to alcohol. These substances can be found in common household products such as glues, lighter fluid, cleaning fluid and paint products. Of course, using these products for their intended purpose is acceptable. Nonprescription substances like cold, cough, sinus, motion-sickness, weight-loss, pain and sleep-aid over-the-counter medication ingested in amounts in excess of recommended dosages for the purpose of intoxication or to experience a psychoactive effect constitutes substance abuse. It is extremely dangerous to use substances in this manner and can lead to significant injury or death. Air Force courts-martial have included prosecutions for abuse of non-prescription medications. Purpose of general order: The general order prohibiting the use of intoxicating substances, for the purposes other than intended or in a manner other than intended, is based primarily on safeguard the health, welfare, good order and discipline of the Air Mobility Force from the serious risks associated with these forms of substance abuse and to ensure military readiness in this time of ongoing armed conflict. The Order is also based on the military necessity to foster mutual trust and confidence among members of the Air Mobility Force as well as the command responsibility to promote the public respect and acceptability of military service. Abuse of these substances by military members contradicts the nature of our profession of arms, threatens our military readiness and diminishes our ability to conduct the mission entrusted to us. More importantly, this type of abuse has the potential of endangering the life of the individual abuser, as well as the lives of other military members around the individual. As always, failure to obey a general order constitutes a violation of Article 92, Uniform Code of Military Justice, and may result in disciplinary or administrative action.