Clubbers at risk from lethal but legal drug

[T_i_B]

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/story.jsp?story=555924

Amid the sweat and adrenaline fuelled by the pounding music and swirling lights of the dance culture, a new menace has emerged. In clubs around Britain, the use of recreational drugs is on the increase, and, as a result of the reclassification of GHB, users are changing to a new drug ­ GBL.

Experts claim that GBL is also growing in popularity as a date-rape drug.

GBL, like GHB, is a clear odourless liquid usually sold in small bottles or capsules, costing around £15 for 30ml. The normal dose ­ a teaspoon or capful ­ makes users happy, sensual and uninhibited, and the effects can last all day. However, excessive amounts, if mixed with alcohol or other drugs, can cause a potentially fatal fit or seizure.

"The difference between life and death with this substance is the blink of an eye," said David Hingston, a criminal lawyer. "It really is frightening stuff. It is impossible to say what a safe dosage is. The drug gets worse if mixed with other drugs and the kind of people taking this 'liquid ecstasy' are very likely to have had other drugs. It becomes a loaded pistol pointed at people's heads."

[Dogmudgeon]

1. It's a Date Rape drug! ... it's a Paint Remover!

Actually, it's both, and large quantities of GBL can be bought at furniture and home supplies stores (unless I missed some law or another banning the stuff). It also has uses in electronics manufacture.

There's already been far too much hyperbole about GBH. The stuff has legitimate uses but is now beyond the reach of even most physicians.

Keep in mind: The most commonly-used "date rape drug" is completely legal and does a huge business.

It's ethyl alcohol.

--bkl

[jukes]

2. this may be a new story

but GBL has been on the rave scene for months. some of the "research chemicals" legally available are scarier than this; w/some, a misdose of a few milligrams can cause coma or untreatable dementia.

& we in the states waste billions every year in the war on cannabis...

[psychopomp]

3. You know you're old when...

...you read in the paper about drugs you have never heard of that are now popular with the party scene.

:smoke:

[shanti]

5. hello!!

:smoke: dammit!

[the Kelly Gang]

6. aint it true !

[cenacle]

4. calling what the media does in its coverage of research chems

hyperbole is a terrifying euphemism...the War on Some Drugs worldwide is not some new phenomena but part of a human race-old struggle between domination and liberation...there is little available education for those who wish to expand their minds and souls and consciousness with some degree of knowledge and safety...it's on the 'net if one looks, but many who go out and rave and party are not necessarily into doing their 'homework' before getting glittery and funking down...the western governments and their lickin' lapdog mass medias are so hungrily about control and manipulation that many who would benefit from these sacraments never get near the truth of them, muchless the availability...for many who do, the untold millions who do not misuse, abuse, overdose on them, the Door opens, they step through, and this tiny world of human mewlings is seen as a strange unique dot in a sizelessly vast Universe...i advise anyone here curious to go online, surf around, you'll find some amazing things...safe journeys ;)