YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Base officials are warning people about abuses of over-the-counter medications and Spice, an herbal mixture that acts as a marijuana alternative and can be legally purchased around Japan.
It comes after an airman overdosed on cold medication and spent a week at the Yokota Medical Treatment Facility, according to Maj. Chris Watt, a 374th Airlift Wing spokesman. Identified only as a 20-year-old male, he was found unconscious in his dorm room Oct. 2.
"The case with the airman showed the dangers of abusing over-the-counter medications, and leadership at Yokota wants to prevent further incidents of this kind," Watt said.
Lt. Col. Mark Milam, the 374th Airlift Wing Staff Judge Advocate, said it’s the first documented case here in the past year.
"But there is a concern that other individuals are abusing OTC medications as well," Milam added. "We want to alert the community to this problem so that we do not have other instances."
Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Linus Jordan also used his biweekly radio show last Thursday on Eagle 810 to highlight the dangers of Spice, which has been called a legal form of marijuana. It’s available in many off-base shops, including some in the Fussa area outside Yokota.
"Establishments sell it as an incense," said Master Sgt. Julie Briggs, a base spokeswoman, "but some people are misusing it and smoking it. When people smoke it, it produces effects similar to marijuana."
Its more potent versions, Gold Spice and Diamond Spice, are mixtures of any variety of substances, according to various herbal-related Web sites. It can include something called Indian Warrior, a flower with a muscle relaxant-like property.
Spice’s specific effects vary by individual but it produces many of the same warning signs seen in marijuana abuse such as red eyes, slurred speech and cottonmouth, said Maj. Jonathan Kusy, 374th Security Forces Squadron commander.
Milam said its use by Yokota airmen is being reviewed.
"While we do not believe there is a wide-ranging problem with these substances, Yokota … is taking active steps to educate our base population on the dangers of abusing Spice and OTC medications," Milam said. "If it is determined that use of [Spice] is causing problems to good order and discipline … the command may ban its purchase and use by Yokota personnel."
Watt said the health and safety of airmen and families remains the base’s primary concern.
"We just want to get the word out on these substances to supervisors and parents," he said. "While these substances are not illegal, they can be lethal when used improperly."
