Salvia is a powerful drug and the effects are almost instantaneous. And because it's legal in most places, it's caught the attention of lawmakers around the country.
Drug Counselor Heather Hayes says, "Salvia divinorum is a perennial herb that grows wild in Mexico. It's a hallucinogenic. It's what back in the 60's we used to call a psychedelic."
Experts say it affects the brain nearly ten times faster than cocaine and targets parts of the brain responsible for motor function.
SOT: Heather Hayes, L.P.C., Drug Counselor (:46)
"They feel very out of control, it's very scary. They will literally have blackouts, and what we are seeing is a lot of people having accidents because they lose their coordination. They aren't able to think clearly- so we are seeing people fall stumble, hurt themselves and have driving accidents."
Many states are now considering legislation to ban salvia.
In the meantime, experts say, explain to kids that just because something is temporarily legal - - doesn't mean it's safe.
Hayes says, "Initially when ecstasy was developed it was not illegal, but shortly after it was, and now we know that ecstasy is extremely damaging to the brain, we have people who die after one use. So that would be the analogy I'd give."
