POLICE WARN ABOUT 'CLUB DRUG' OVERDOSES

Three Separate Incidents Have Authorities Issuing Caution About GHB Use

Halton Regional Police have issued a caution to the public after ambulances
were called to three different locations in Burlington to aid people
suffering from drug overdoses.

In each case police say the rave or 'club drug' Gamma-hydroxybutyrio acid,
better known as GHB, was the culprit.

Members of Halton police's Drug and Morality Bureau say two of the
incidents occurred last Saturday. They involved a 30-year-old male at a
local bar and a female at a house.

A third incident occurred last Sunday afternoon at a club.

In each case the affected individual was overcome by the drug.

The 27-year-old out-of-town man who was at the club collapsed and had a
seizure, say police.

In all three cases the people were taken to hospital, treated and released.

GHB, also known as G or liquid ecstasy, is not the so-called 'date rape'
drug, said Halton Det. Al Albano. GHB is available in liquid, capsule and
powder forms.

Police say in this area it is usually seen as a colourless, odourless
liquid that can be dissolved in other liquids, most notably alcoholic drinks.

When combined with alcohol it can cause nausea and difficulty breathing. It
can also cause vomiting, seizures, liver failure or result in a coma.

GHB is a drug that depresses the central nervous system and produces
euphoric and hallucinatory states. The effects begin 10-20 minutes after
taking the drug and last about four hours.

Police are asking that anyone with information about individuals making or
selling GHB or other dangerous drugs call them at 905-634-1831, ext. 5043
or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).