Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center Launches Designer Drug Information Website

From Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- The Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) launched a designer-drug information website Aug. 9 to inform and educate Department of Navy personnel on the dangers of designer drug use.

According to Cmdr. Lisa McWhorter, NMCPHC Navy Drug Program Manager, the webpage page is intended to provide a "one-stop-shopping" resource for visitors to the website and includes downloadable presentations and links to other drug-related websites.

"We're hopeful that visitors to our website will find this site useful for what they need either through the presentations or the links," said McWhorter. "Education and awareness of the negative effects from the use of these drugs, plays a key role in deterrence of drug use."

The available presentations are well-suited for commands throughout the Navy and Marine Corps to use for general military training and other training venues intended to reach a broad audience ranging from leadership to the deckplate Sailor and Marine.

McWhorter said NMCPHC will manage the website to ensure that current and accurate information is added as soon as it becomes available.

The timing of the webpage launch complements the Aug. 2 release of a Navy Medicine all-hands message. Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Adam M. Robinson, Jr. used this message to caution his commanding officers, medical providers and personnel on the negative health effects and legal consequences of using synthetic marijuana like Spice and other designer drugs.

"It is paramount all Navy Medicine personnel are aware of the adverse health effects of these drugs," said Robinson. "Serious side effects have been reported after its use including tremors, panic attacks, delirium, impaired coordination, seizures, paranoid hallucinations, and psychotic symptoms that can last for days, even months in some cases."

The NMCPHC webpage and military leadership message provide background information on Spice and other synthetic designer drugs, including varieties, signs and symptoms of use and the negative health effects associated with use. It also increases emphasis on Zero Tolerance for possession and trafficking as well as the use of designer drugs. In the past year, hundreds of Sailors have been held accountable for use or possession of Spice or Spice derivatives. Service members can also be charged as part of the Zero Tolerance policy for failure to report an incident of abuse.

"The NMCPHC website will serve as an excellent resource to help commanding officers remain fully engaged in educating all hands on the hazards associated with synthetic drugs with a focus on spice in particular," said McWorter.

Information on designer drugs can be found at nmcphc.med.navy.mil/Healthy_Living/.