Spice use affects career, mission, life Published July 7, 2011 By Staff Reports 52nd Fighter Wing Legal SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- "Spice" is an intoxicating herbal or botanical mixture some users smoke to achieve what they expect to be similar physical effects as smoking marijuana. However, some of the reported side effects of using Spice are panic attacks, hallucinations, delusions, vomiting, increased agitation and dilated pupils. Non-judicial punishment actions in the Air Force for illegal use of Spice have risen nearly 700 percent since 2009, and courts-martial increased from two in 2009 to 43 in 2010. The increase in Spice's popularity during the last few years may come from the belief the active ingredients in Spice cannot be detected by urinalysis. Contrary to common belief, it can. Recent strides in laboratory testing techniques have proven quite successful in testing for the illegal substance, and the Air Force continues to build support among the military branches to provide a more robust random testing capability. At Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, one Airman here was charged with illegal use of Spice in 2009. That number increased to 11 in 2010. An investigation by Air Force OSI revealed 17 Spice users; many confirmed using newly developed urinalysis tests in 2011. All 17 Airmen have been charged with illegal use of Spice. Most Spice users were offered, and elected to be charged by, non-judicial punishment. The average punishment consisted of reduction in rank to airman basic, forfeiture of $733 pay per month for two months, 30 days of extra duties and restriction to base. Two Airmen, whose illegal Spice use included use on duty or distribution, were tried by courts-martial. One Airman received confinement for 30 days and the other six months. While the cases were tried differently, one thing that all Spice cases have in common is mandatory discharge processing for drug abuse according to Air Force Instruction 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen. The side effects of Spice use go well beyond its impact to the user's health and career; it also has a detrimental effect on the Air Force's mission. Spangdahlem's most recent Spice ring resulted in severe manpower shortages for the squadron affected. Airmen not involved in the drug ring worked longer shifts to ensure mission success. They also picked up several short-notice deployment taskings to cover for those relieved of duty while awaiting the outcome of the investigations. Spice's negative effects do not end with an Airman's career. Think about the rapid life changes that occurred for the 17 Airmen at here from smoking Spice. Their lives changed completely. They went from trusted members of the U.S. Air Force to unemployed. Courts-martial may restrict future job searches. Also, being discharged for Spice use may result in the loss of education benefits. Spice, marijuana and any other illegal drug have more side effects than just a physical high, they can also seriously alter the course of one's life.