Internet access to Salvia divinorum: implications for policy, prevention, and treatment.

A majority of websites selling or promoting Salvia divinorum, a potent hallucinogen legal in most U.S. states, present misleading or false information about the drug's safety. About 58% of sites offered the drug for sale or linked to sellers, and 78% advocated for its use. Many sites erroneously interpreted the lack of scientific data on side effects as proof that no side effects exist. The online availability and promotion resemble those of other abused drugs, but far less is known about Salvia's short- and long-term effects, leaving little evidence to counter the pro-use claims. This has implications for drug policy, prevention, and treatment.

Study at a glance

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.