GHB - Prohibition and consequences

[Chicago Democrat]

My fellow Democrats, please hear my plea:

My friend Richard Jones died a year ago of alcoholism. He wanted to use GHB to break his addiction to alcohol, but because of its prohibition it became cost and safety prohibitive. So he succumb to alcohol and died. Me and my friend Derek still have to scatter his ashes. But I feel compelled to speak out as to the legitimate uses of GHB. Specifically, the treatment of alcoholism.

Alcoholism is the worst drug problem by far in the USA, and GHB is the best treatment for it. Why then has our misguided government made it the equivalent of heroin to possess, despite its legitimate uses? My paranoid and now dead friend Rich said it was a conspiracy of the drug companies to patent this miracle GHB for themselves for undue profits.

Undue, because GHB has long been a treatment for alcohol withdrawals and in Europe it is sold as such.

GHB of course makes you horny, really horny, so it has been decried as a rape drug in the USA. This I feel is the principal reason for its ban. No doubt the drug could be used for this nefarious purpose.

It would take a huge dose. And the person would have to have no sense of taste because such a dose would taste very terrible. Also the victim would have to be drunk, which multiplies the effect.

OK so because it -could- be used as a rape drug, it was made illegal in 1999 by the LAPD in California and then the nation. The price went up 20 fold and my friend Rich went back to alcohol and died.

I miss you Rich.

[RUexperienced]

1. The feds are doing the same thing to ephedra now

There were 250 deaths last year...

... due to PEANUT allergies.

What are they going to ban next?

[LibLabUK]

2. Ummm

I can't find any mention of GHB in the British National Formulary, let alone as an indicated treatment for alcoholism.

Likewise, a search on medline elicited nothing regarding its use in treating alcoholics.

I don't see what a drug being illegal has to do with its use in medicine anyway. Drugs like cocaine, morphine and heroin are proscribed yet still used in a clinical setting.

[Liberal Classic]

3. Thank you Shiela Jackson-Lee

For a small step forward in prohibition.

(Oh no, I spoke ill of a Dem.)

[Chicago Democrat]

4. It also treats sleep disorders...

...most effectively. More effective and less toxic than all other sleep aids. Its so crazy illegal now, I'm afraid to even google it.

I did it when it was legal. It is an unusual compound. It basically makes you very happy and then if you do more, you go to sleep. It is a superb sleep aid as it promotes deep REM sleep. Mixing with alcohol will accelerate this effect, so alcohol is a bad idea.

Part of the problem was that kids would go to clubs and mix with alcohol and then pass out in the clubs. Freaking everyone out, really they were all just in deep REM sleep! It was often reported as 'a coma', which it was not. Nope just a deep, deep unarousable sleep which last precisely four hours.

The other reason people totally went nuts about this drug; was that when people are in this deep unarousable REM sleep, they are vulnerable, and could be raped. Some bad people must have certainly done this. So that was the main thing that got it banned. The LAPD was key in getting it banned, first in California; then almost immediately nationally, in what resembled a witch hunt.

Doctors -cant- prescribe it, its not really sold as medicine not in the USA. There are many examples of things like this. Anyway Rich Jones knew all about it; and for him it was perfect methadone-like substitute for alcohol.

I'm not really an expert about this; I am surprised no-one else here has heard about this. I basically haven't seen any since the ban. I just think its a shame that just because this thing could be abused for bad purposes, is not reason alone to cut off a legitimate use.

[gatlingforme]

5. GHB is not needed to treat alcoholism and sleep disorders -

I understand GHB can be used to treat those problems, but there are other resources available to treat those disorders... GHB is not the only answer. GHB abuse and potential misuse far outweights the benefits it might have for alcoholism and sleep disorders.

[Chicago Democrat]

6. Some people think so...

... but they lost out. One of them died of alcoholism, because he was law abiding, but sadly addicted. He couldn't get his GHB, so he died of vodka. I really miss him, and thats the point of this post.

Alcoholism is the number one drug problem in the USA.

[Spentastic]

7. I'm sorry for your loss.

However, your friend using GHB was self prescribing. I'm afraid this does not constitute a legitimate argument for legalisation. Can you point to any clinical studies proving the efficacy of GHB when combatting alcoholism.

I totally agree about alcohol. But your friend died because of alcohol not through the illegality of GHB.

Once again. Sorry for your loss.

[FeebMaster]

8. Haha drug warriors.

Self prescription is the whole point of drug legalization. What drug you happen to be prescribing for yourself is irrelevant.

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[FeebMaster]

14. The horror!

People wanting the drugs they want and use to be legal. What a shocking concept.

I agree with you on the medicinal use arguments, but they're just trying to appeal to compassion and guilt. Most people don't care in the least about rights, so you've got to start somewhere, I guess.

[MrBenchley]

9. Ahem....

"Coma and seizures can occur following abuse of GHB and, when combined with methamphetamine, there appears to be an increased risk of seizure. Combining use with other drugs such as alcohol can result in nausea and difficulty breathing. GHB may also produce withdrawal effects, including insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and sweating."

http://www.streetdrugs.org/ghb.htm

[Chicago Democrat]

11. GHB should never be mixed..

...with anything. And as alcohol substitute its non toxic nature makes it ideal.

Stupid people who do stupid things, is not reason alone to deny Liberty to informed people using potentially hazardous materials with wisdom.

http://www.antiaging-systems.com/home1.htm

Do a search on GHB and choose from the many articles if you was to read some real science on GHB.

[MrBenchley]

12. I posted real research on GHB

not "anti-aging" quackery.

[Chicago Democrat]

15. Streetdrugs.org is propaganda...

...that takes only one side of this argument, namely that GHB has little or no clinical medical use. A use that is so highly restricted as to intimidate any doctor from ever even researching it. This anti-liberty "science" on streetdrugs.org is about as balanced as FOX news.

IAS is a cutting edge organization run by real research doctors. Why not actually read the scientific papers on their site? Its highly technical and is difficult to get thru, but I think you will find a more complete story there. The truth is that of course this powerful substance can be used for great good, or great ill. I would love to see more real research on it, but anti-drug hysteria has basically squashed it in the USA.


My post is about legitimate use of a miracle drug that was maligned by irresponsible fear mongerers such as found on streetdrugs.org. So thanks to them, literally millions of seriously ill people are being denied access. This denial literally killed my friend.

I took the time to actually read the utter nonsense on streetdrugs.org why not acutally read the studies on IAS? I cannot see on what basis yu call IAS quackerly. Especially when compared to the one sided, straw arguments on your site.

[MrBenchley]

16. Too frigging funny....

You put up a crackpot anti-aging site, then complain you can't see how I could call another site "quackery."

Here's IAS......not a word about GHB on its website...

http://www.ias.org.uk/

And here's some more about GHB....

"The case offers a stark illustration of why GHB may be the new weapon of choice for sexual predators. Easy to make and cheap to purchase (on the street, a "dose" of GHB can go for as little as $5 or $10), GHB makes rape much easier. Instead of all the effort involved in abducting someone at gun or knife point, less than a teaspoon of GHB can render the woman of your choice vulnerable to assault within 10 to 20 minutes. Not only won't she fight back, she won't even remember being attacked, and may not recall your face at all. Plus GHB exits the body within 12 hours of being taken. So by the time the victim realizes what has happened ( if she realizes what's happened), there'll be no evidence that GHB was involved. Unless, of course, the rapist was unwise enough to videotape the event. "

http://dir.salon.com/health/feature/2000/08/17/ghb/index.html

"Since about 1990, GHB (gamma-hydroxybutrate) has been abused in the U.S. for euphoric, sedative, and anabolic (bodybuilding) effects. As with Rohypnol, GHB has been associated with sexual assault in cites throughout the country. Common names include, "liquid ecstasy," "somatomax," "scoop," or "grievous bodily harm." "

http://www.4woman.gov/faq/rohypnol.htm

"Some of the most commonly used drugs are GHB, Ketamine ("known as Special K"), Rohypnol (or "roofies") and other central nervous system depressants. The effects of these drugs may be magnified when combined with alcohol and can include: drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, impaired judgment, nausea, vomiting, reduced inhibitions, loss or impairment of memory, impaired motor skills, reduced level or loss of consciousness, or coma. Some of these drugs can be fatal."

http://www.uvm.edu/health/?Page=daterapedrug.html

[Chicago Democrat]

17. This is all baseless fear mongering and a witch hunt.

...I have been talking about postive medical uses. Rich believed in them. He work for a company which writes many articles about legimte postive uses for this drug. IAS is that company. And you are just throwing inflamitory and completely off the wall propaganda that only tries to associate GHB with some street drug that people only take for some depraved purpose.

The fear mongering worked to scared the shit out of the California legistlature and the Feds lately are always happy to make something illegal. So people like you won, for now; it doesnt make it right.

Moralism like this reminds me of the stem cell research controversy. Where outdated puritannical beliefs are actually prohibiting research in the most cutting edge area of science. Copernicus and Gallileo were persecuted for simple scientific research. Now peoples puritanical or visceral anti-drug bias that associate any drug that makes a person happy as somehow evil. People who take anti-depressants for example. I can only thank God that I dont need GHB or stem cells to save my life and I hope you dont either.

[MrBenchley]

18. And there isn't dick about GHB on IAS

So in other words, the company trying to peddle illegal stimulants and hormones via the internet commissioned propaganda to support it...and the IAS you were talking about is not the actual Institute for Alcohol Studies, but these quacks:

http://www.antiaging-systems.com/

http://www.antiaging-systems.com/extract/ghb.htm

You will note the guy conducting this "research" has a Master of Arts degree, not a Master of Science. I'm convinced....NOT.

"Moralism like this reminds me of the stem cell research controversy."
Gee, the stem cell research is conducted in accredited laboratories by real scientists under controlled conditions...not quacks with a website.

"Copernicus and Gallileo were persecuted for simple scientific research."
As I recall, neither Copernicus or Galileo were into date rape.

"the most cutting edge area of science."
Like Energo: the very latest anti-aging skin cream? Or Senile Cataract and Can-C® eye drops?

[Chicago Democrat]

19. Yes there is..

Just go there and do a search on GHB. They have a magazine and publish things all the time. And they are involved with a lot of different things, and I'm totally bored with this. good bye

[MrBenchley]

21. Not at the Institute for Alcohol Studies, there isn't.

[Chicago Democrat]

20. Only rapists rape..

and these are real scientists; persecuted scientists like Galileo.

Bite me

[MrBenchley]

22. And GHB makes it easier for them to do so

"and these are real scientists"
Who sell magic face cream to suckers.

[Chicago Democrat]

10. Rich hated doctors and traditional rehab,

and GHB was his safer alternative. Rich definitely knew of clinical studies and they were ignored during the anti-GHB hysteria. I don't know of them. But they are there. Rich worked with people that did those studies, I would direct you to this website

http://www.antiaging-systems.com/home1.htm

Do a search on GHB and there is a hugely complex article, which says alot, but basically my lay understanding is that it is completely non-toxic and the paper denotes some of the many benefits.

Rich was enslaved by alcohol and when they took away his GHB; it just broke his heart. I was totally helpless as he just drank himself to death. He would definitely be still alive if the GHB had not been prohibited. He loved GHB and it was the only thing that allowed him to stop drinking even for a day. Those sober days were taken away by this misguided law and that is what killed him. Only 48 years old.

[NorthernSpy]

23. harm reduction & the right to preserve ones life

I'm sorry about your friend, Chicago Democrat.

I don't really know anything about GHB, and haven't got anything to say about its safety or efficacy in treating in any ailment. Just this: I doubt that your friend could have been worse off if permitted to be a chronic GHB user, as he preferred to be, instead of the chronic ethanol user that already was. The State's meddling with his personal harm-reduction strategy served no legitimate public purpose and effectively denied him the right to follow a course of action that could, at best, have preserved his life.

People do make and buy GHB on the black market, and those who are willing to commit rape are hardly going to shrink at breaking mere drug possession laws. As usual, only the peaceable and law-abiding need go without. I really doubt that banning this stuff has done women any good whatsoever (and that was the pretext, right?).


Mary