Emergencynet News Service
02/01/97
CPD Investigating GHB Ingestion/Overdose
By Clark Staten, ERRI Analyst
Chicago Police are investigating how 7 people wound up unconscious or dazed outside the
popular Crobar nightclub Wednesday night. All had overdosed on gamma hydroxybutrate, or
GHB/GBH, a drug known on the streets as "grievous bodily harm."
The victims denied taking the drug. One of the victims, a 21-year-old Arlington Heights
man, told Channel 5 News he believed someone slipped the drug into his drink after he set
it down. He later collapsed, and remembered only waking up in the emergency room.
All 7 victims affected at the Crobar have been released from the hospital. One man was in
intensive care until late Wednesday morning.
A quantity of what was believed to have been liquid GHB was taken last month from a man
outside the Shelter nightclub. The man was arrested after 3 people collapsed after
ingesting the substance.
GHB, a musclebuilder used by professional weightlifters, was essentially banned by the
Federal Drug Administration in 1991. GHB is also known as a "date rape drug"
because it provides a false sense of security and lowere levels of consciousness.
After taking the drug, a user’s eartbeat slows, blood pressure drops, and breathing
may even stop. Other effects include vomiting, dizziness, and drowsiness. With proper
emergency care, patients usually can recover in 2 hours to 4 days. There have been no
reported deaths, so far linked to GHB/GBH.
GBH, GHB - Unofficial Report from the United Kingdom
(A.K.A. - Liquid E, Liquid X)
What is GHB/GBH ?
GHB or as it is often known 'GBH' is an anaesthetic, used in the USA for its sedating
rather than painkilling effects. From around Spring 1994 it began showing up on the UK
club scene, starting with London gay venues. Its chemical name is gammahydroxybutyrate. It
is a colourless, odourless, salty tasting liquid that comes in small bottles. The potency
varies, since it will be home made to various consistencies. Ingredients include solvents
and caustic soda. 40ml bottles cost usually between 10 and fifteen pounds sterling and are
enough for between one and three dosages. It is most commonly swallowed although rarely it
is injected.
Effects of GHB,GBH
GHB's effects at lower doses are a cross between alcohol and the now defunct euphoriant
downer methaqualone. Inhibitions are lowered, leading to a quirky calm feeling, or
sometimes to a darker mood. At higher doses it causes sedation, nausea, muscle stiffness,
confusions, convulsions and some cases coma and respiratory collapse. One man described
how he 'felt like I was drifting away in my own little bubble of consciousness but my
friends said I was puking and out of it'.
The National Drug Intelligence Service was reporting in May 1994 that around 200 people
had been hospitalised aftertaking the drug. While there have been no confirmed GHB deaths
either in the UK or US, it was thought that the late
American actor River Phoenix was killed by the drug.
Body builders have also been known to use the drug, as it is supposed to promote slow-wave
sleep, which is when muscle-building growth hormones are secreted by the body.
It is not known whether the drug causes tolerance, psychological or physical dependence,
although all three may be likely in some individuals. There is also no information on the
drugs long term effects on physical and emotional well-being.
Legal Status
It is not illegal to posses GHB in the UK at the time of writing, however, there are moves
to outlaw it and these are likely to take effect in the near future. Various additional
laws prohibiting its use are also under consideration in the US.
(C) Copyright, EmergencyNet News Service, 1997, except as otherwise inmdicated. All rights
reserved.
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