SALVIA DIVINORUM USE AMONG A COLLEGE STUDENT SAMPLE

The recreational use of Salvia divinorum has received increased attention by media outlets and policy-makers in recent years. The vast absence of research to guide the dissemination of information has prompted this research note describing the use of this substance in a large public institution of higher education. The prevalence of Salvia divinorum is described in this context and a description of patterns of use, methods of acquisition, and a subjective estimation of continuance are proffered. RESEARCH NOTE One of the most prevailing rationales utilized for the prohibition of drugs is that they corrupt our youth. A contemporary example of this concept is evi-denced by a group of drugs collectively referred to as “club drugs. ” Drugs such as gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA/ecstasy), and ketamine are frequently used at all-night dance parties known as raves. These club drugs are used within this context analogous to the manner that alcohol is consumed in bars (Drug Enforcement Administration, 2001; Gahlinger, 2004). The continued subcultural use of these party drugs in thi