GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate)

Street Names: GHB is sometimes referred to as: Grievous Bodily Harm, Scoop, and Liquid Ecstasy on the street.

Description: GHB is typically colorless, odorless and tastes slightly salty. Users sometimes mix GHB with juices. GHB also comes in powder or capsule form. GHB is a central nervous system depressant and was banned by the FDA in 1990. GHB is increasing in popularity, with nearly 2500 users admitted to emergency rooms for overdose in 2000 (DEA Report). 

Use: GHB is taken orally after being mixed with a liquid, usually carbonated alcohol, juice or health food drinks. GHB is a popular rave and night club drug.

Effects: The onset of GHB effects is rapid. Unconsciousness or overdose can occur after 15 minutes and a coma can occur within 30-40 minutes. GHB produces a wide range of effects including: drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, amnesia, decreased rate, reduced blood pressure, visual hallucinations, coma and death. Alcohol intensifies the effects of GHB and increases the likelihood of overdose and death. GHB overdose often requires emergency room care and many deaths have resulted. Rapists have used GHB to facilitate sexual assaults because the victim is unable to resist and may have difficulty remembering exactly what happened, rendering the case difficult to prosecute in court. There have been numerous occurrences of people slipping GHB into other people’s drinks for the purpose of taking advantage of them.

For more information on GHB and its effects, visit http://www.streetdrugs.org