According to a report on the Navy website, recent statistics have indicated an increase in the use of such designer drugs as “Spice” in the Navy, in the last quarter of 2010; this has become a cause of concern for Navy leadership.

Adm. John C. Harvey, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, said: “The number of incidents of designer drug usage is rising at an alarming rate in our Navy. In the last four months alone, 79 of our Fleet Forces Sailors and 72 Pacific Fleet Sailors have been accused of using or possession of the drug. That’s 151 Sailors that if found guilty will be administratively separated from our Navy.”

“Spice” and other products like it, which are usually marketed as incense, are herbal products that mimic the effects of marijuana. Their use is not allowed for Navy personnel.

In November, 10 businesses in Hampton Roads were declared off-limits to service members by the Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board of Southeastern Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina. This was done in response to an increasing concern in the military over the use of “Spice” and other synthetic marijuana products.

Harvey said further: “Our Navy has zero tolerance for drug use. If you are considering using Spice or a similar drug, I strongly urge you to reconsider… If you are caught using it, even once, you will be separated from the Navy. There is no second chance.”

Drug abuse, as defined by the Navy, includes (but is not limited to) the use of the following products, as shared by the Navy website:

- Products that contain synthetic cannabinoid compounds, such as Spice, Genie, Blaze, Dream, Ex-Ses, Spark, Fusion, Dark Knight, Yukatan Fire and K2.
- Natural substances such as Salvia divinorum and mushrooms
- Common use items abused by inhaling or huffing, such as Dust-Off, glue, paint thinner and gasoline
- Over-the-counter products such as Robitussin and Coricidin HBP
- Prescription medications such as Oxycodone, Vicodin, Adderal and Valium