VICTIM MAY HAVE OD'D ON ECSTASY

A woman in her mid-20s is in critical but stable condition at Misericordia
hospital after a suspected overdose of either Ecstasy or a depressant known
as GHB.

Paramedics were called to Cowboys Country Saloon on 180 Street and Stony
Plain Road at 2 a.m. yesterday and took an unconscious woman to hospital.

Edmonton police spokesman Wes Bellmore said both Ecstasy and GHB were
mentioned in the initial report on the incident. But investigators won't
know for sure whether the woman had ingested either drug until they
interview her or have tests done.

Representatives of the bar refused to talk to The Sun yesterday.

GHB, which is known on the street as Georgia Home Boy or Liquid E, is a
fast-acting central nervous system depressant that causes hallucinations.
The bitter-tasting drug is commonly used in liquid form, sold in a vial,
and can be any colour.

It's usually made in a sink with a variety of household cleaners, so a
person never knows how strong the drug is, said Const. Rick Abbott, a
downtown beat officer who patrols raves.

The drug can cause drowsiness, dizziness, vomiting, unconsciousness,
seizures and severe respiratory depression. It can also lead to low blood
pressure and it can slow down the heart.

"This is as dangerous as it gets for black-market drugs," said Abbott.

He said it has been reported that GHB is also used as a date-rape drug. But
it's mostly used to get high and is commonly found at raves.

The problem is, police don't get much information about the production of
the drug in the city, which is why very little of it has been seized,
Abbott said.

"It's such a secret thing to have," he said. "It's such a quiet,
underground drug to be used.

"We don't see a lot of it. We need information on this stuff."

Ecstasy is a drug with both stimulant and hallucinogenic effects.

In May 2000, Darryl Slobogan's body was found alongside Mill Creek ravine -
hours after he attended an all-night dance party. The raver died from a
fatal mix of drugs, including Ecstasy.