Incorrect and negative remark about LSD in the news.

"And some say it can do more damage than LSD."

Duh, of course there's plenty of bad press but as me being a tad bit bored at work I took the time to send what I consider a correction to the newcaster based upon "Feel free to E-Mail Josh at joshua.p.devine@abc.com."

I'm semi interested to see if the newsperson responds to me.

http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=local&id=5048914

Legal herb called 'new marijuana'Salvia Divinorum is a growing trend
By Josh DeVine
MID MICHIGAN (WJRT) - (02/19/07)--Some call it the new marijuana. It's an herb with a powerful punch. It's called Salvia Divinorum. It's been around for thousands of years. And some say it can do more damage than LSD.
Some drug counselors say they believe its use could lead teens to addiction, depression, and in some cases, suicide.
It looks a little like marijuana. And we didn't buy it from a dealer; we got it at the mall.
Some states have tight rules on this type of Salvia. Michigan does not. Some say that's a big oversight. And you might, too.
The herb acts like an opiate, and it is completely legal, easy to get and nothing new.
The drug was used thousands and thousands of years ago as part of a religious experience. But now Salvia Divinorum is a growing trend.
More teens and more young adults are turning to the herb for a simple high, an altered sense of reality.
Hugh McQuade is a psychotherapist at Insight Recovery Services. He has years of experience counseling the addicted.
"Going on 18 years," he said.
And McQuade says the herb poses a big problem every parent should know about.
"You have teens going out, getting a legal drug -- a legal herb -- that the police ... no one is going to arrest them for, and they can get high," he said.
On the street, it's called "Diviner's Sage," "Magic Mint" or "Sally D."
Only five states regulate Salvia Divinorum. Lawmakers could soon vote to control the sale of the herb in another seven. But not in Michigan.
Regardless of rules, it's easy to find online. A quick online search turned up more than five million hits. Some sites even show how to use it. Others demonstrate the effects.
It's also easy to get. Case in point: We drove to the mall, found a store called Blue Moon Gallery, and asked for Salvia. The clerk carefully checked my ID.
The clerk charged us $24.33, and in 10 minutes, we left. Th cash and the ID got got one gram of 10X Salvia Extract, according to the receipt.
Dr. James Brown is a family physician.
"I'm very concerned about this," he said.
Addiction is different for teenagers. Minds aren't fully developed.
"Remember, natural or naturally occurring does not always mean safe," Brown said.
And the doctor said a little bit of what's in a little bag could pose a big problem.
"Like depression, even death," he said.
It's a big risk for a short-lived high.
There's not enough research on the long-term impact of Salvia Divinorum. That's why there isn't a federal law. It's up to stores selling it.
The manager at Blue Moon Gallery turned down our request for an interview, but did say she checked the ID carefully, because she said the store's determined to do its part to keep this herb out of the hands of anyone under 18.

I sent:

Good day Josh,

This is just a simple email in regards to the article I encountered while doing a bit of research for a colleague.
The article states "And some say it can do more damage than LSD."

Those "some" many only be referring to the possiblity to adulterants of illegal drugs due to the conditions they are manufactured as a result of the substance being illegal.

LSD does not do damage. There is the in theory possible psychological damage; though this is due to the psyche of the user and manifestations of subconscious/suppressed material within that specific person. An semi decent analogy: A participant in a new sport dislocating a body member due to some previously undiagnosed physical ailment.

As for Salvia Divinorum... As much as smoking disgusts me in general, it's the potent dosages moderm day people are taking that may be more attributed to unforseen latent damages they have yet to research/discover. While the consumption of tabacco in any dose may not be healthy the stats from a few years ago was something like "Every ten seconds" a person dies due to its use, would be immensely lower if those addicts dosed 1/10 of their habit. In other words it's the sheer amount they are using that is the real problem at hand. That's my opinion anyways.

Please forgive this link spam but there is a non-profit research and edu organization that dedicates their effort into this topic (LSD, Salvia, Ibogaine, Ketamine, etc...): http://www.maps.org/

That's all folks and have fun if you can,

 

Way to go, I wish more people were willing to respond to questionable reporters. If we can discuss the common misconceptions skillfully, perhaps phrases about the 'damage' done by LSD etc. won't be thrown around so casually in popular media.

 

eh stupid people.... IF ONLY THEY KNEW.....

 

prohibition is wrong! what we do to ourselves is our own right! if we made all drugs legal we could put the money we would save to education and awareness. drugs can do good things for people and there will always be people to spread the good word.

this is funny - the beatles were the biggest band ever, at least alot of people would agree. the beatles are also well known for their drug use. they loved lsd and it was a very big part of there music and creativity. does anyone ever wonder why the beatles were so creative? LSD and marijuana among other drugs!

LSD made the people stand up against the government in the spirit of peace and freedom. that is why lsd is illegal. north amarica is far from a free society.

 

oh you!

 

That's one of the dumbest, most poorly written articles I've ever read, PERIOD... not just about drugs. And I think anyone with a brain can tell that article is ridiculous. "Some [websites] even show how to use it." How to fucking SMOKE an HERB? Uhhhhhhh it's not exactly fucking ROCKET SCIENCE. What an IDIOTIC article. "It works like an opiate." HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA

 

HOLY SHITTTTTTTTTTT Hugh McQuade was the fag that drug tested me at Insight Recovery Center. and i was the one that mentioned Salvia to him cause he never heard of it

 

MIchigan Is gay as fuck they are closing every head shop across the state with in the next couple of days. There needs to be a fuck michigan protest.

 

What are you talking about eman resu?
Where did you hear they're closing headshops.. I don't think they can legally do it.

As for this article, I'm a local of mid-michigan -- the same city in which this report was made. The day this article was written I wrote in explaining to Josh his errors.

He replied the next day, saying he was doing an update to the article, and wanted to speak with me on the phone about my view on salvia. Although, I never had a chance to talk with him on the phone, he used exerpts from the e-mail I sent him as well as someone elses e-mail they sent him.

You can view the updated article here:

http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=local&id=5055418

I'm Brian

You can also view the full video by clicking on the link "Watch the 6 p.m. story". The one in the top right is the shortened, 5 pm story.

 

i live in michigan and they closed both pipe shops in my town yesterday, i know the owner and he said that all the others in michigan were being closed too because of some bullshit passed with legislation or some shit.

 

I made it through. About 5 lines and. Had to stop. Because the whole thing. Was written in fragments. But from what I read he's a moron and really needs to do some more research. And of course the drug counselors are going to say it'll lead to addiction. They've never used drugs and therefore have NO idea. Kyle

 

i don't know the history of these particular drug councilors, but almost all of the drug councilors Ive ever been to where once users/addicts themselves.

 

we have had both. ppl who claim that thay where once a addict (of weed)
and ones who walked the striate and narrow like a mother fucker

 

That first article is complete bullshit, i cant believe someone would write something they didnt even research except to ask a drug counslor. At least the second one was a little better in saying its not like lsd or weed, but still.i personally dont like salvia. the whole "mood" of the trip just isnt something i can go along with, it feels like im in a very fast, cold dream which i do things subconciously and usually cant wait to have it end. Its not so bad that i flip out or anything, its just not my cup of tea... i'll stick to the acid