RCMP WARNING ABOUT 'DATE RAPE DRUG'

Two People Hospitalized After Exposure To Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)

Gamma Hydroxybutyrate is commonly known as GHB, Date Rape Drug, Liquid
Ecstasy and by many other names. Recently, this street drug has surfaced in
the Fairview area.

This article is not meant to alarm anyone but to make the public aware of
the health risks and safety risks associated with this drug. Two people
have been hospitalized from the use of this drug.

Although self-administered in these cases, there are also inherent risks
should someone administer this drug to you without your knowledge.

This street drug is manufactured from readily available compounds in
clandestine laboratories.

GHB can be sold in a 'salty tasting' liquid form, in powder, crystal or
pill form.

Street prices average $10 to $30 per dose.

It is often dissolved in flavored liquids or drinks to mask the taste.

Because of its sedative and amnesic effects, GHB has been used in
drug-facilitated sexual assaults by slipping it into the drink of an
unsuspecting victim, thus the name "Date Rape Drug."

In sufficient quantity, the drug causes severe intoxication or sleepiness.

It is difficult to determine the frequency of attacks of this nature as the
victim is often rendered unconscious during the attack and has difficulty
remembering details after regaining consciousness hours later.

The RCMP recommends caution when accepting drinks from other people and not
to leave their drinks unattended in public areas. Whether used for this
criminal purpose or self administered, there are severe health risks
associated with the use of this drug.

The effects are 'dose related' and vary widely from individual to individual.

A small increase in the amount ingested can cause a significant
intensification of the effects.

When ingested with other drugs, alcohol or central nervous system
depressants, the effects may be greatly increased and the combination can
be deadly.

GHB is rapidly absorbed by the body. The effects are felt within 5-30
minutes and can last one to six hours.

Larger doses of two to four grams can cause pronounced interference with
speech and motor coordination.

In some individuals, ingestion at this level can cause an unrousable heavy
sleep or result in an overdose.

Increasing the dosage by a relatively small amount can result in the user
going into a coma-like state.

An overdose can result in a medical emergency requiring professional treatment.

Some of the effects of an overdose are agitation, confusion, muscle spasms,
incontinence, combativeness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, loss of
coordination, loss of consciousness, cardiac and respiratory depression,
coma and death.

Some specialists feel that GHB is as addictive as cocaine or heroin.

Many of the effects of using the drug will also be experienced even more
severely by an addicted individual going through withdrawal and most
doctors recommend detoxification in a medical or psychiatric facility.

Severe psychosis and agitation requiring restraints or even causing death
is not uncommon during the withdrawal process.

Withdrawal symptoms start 1-6 hours after the last use and the acute phase
can last up to two weeks.

Again, the intent of this message is not to alarm or panic but to educate
the public.

The use of this drug is not widespread in this area but it has surfaced and
can be extremely dangerous.

Because it is manufactured illicitly, you can never be certain of the
strength of the dosage or what other compounds it may be mixed with.

The dangers involved when abused or administered to an unsuspecting victim
can be devastating and life threatening.