GHB targeted by police

It has recently been reported that GHB has been linked to the deaths of two men in Sydney. Police have called for anyone with information about the deaths of 49-year-old Phillip Wynburn or 18-year-old Nathan Skropeta to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Both cases are of course still under investigation and little information has been released, but police have linked their deaths to their increased targeting of GHB in the gay and lesbian community.
We know only too well how many people have overdosed and ended up being hospitalised after using the drug but we rarely talk about the fact that people have died as a result of their GHB use.
The actual number of GHB deaths is extremely difficult to calculate. The drug is out of your system in a very short time and is virtually undetectable after six or seven hours. Unless medical staff look for the substance specifically, GHB can go completely unnoticed. To my knowledge there have been at least 8 GHB-related deaths in the gay community over recent years. In Adelaide, where it is better known as fantasy, they have had even greater problems with the drug and had a number of deaths in the straight community in a very short period of time.
The media has now identified GHB overdoses as a significant problem and as a result there has been much more attention given to the drug. It is therefore not surprising that the police have decided to target all G products -“ whether it be GHB , GBL or 1,4-B. Get caught with any of these substances in your possession and you will find yourself in trouble with the law.
In the vast majority of GHB-related deaths, alcohol or other depressants (sleeping tablets and even cannabis) have been part of the problem. However, combinations are not always the problem and, in fact, we appear to be seeing more fatalities where GHB appeared to be the only drug present.
Unfortunately, some people still don’t believe that falling asleep on G is a medical emergency. An overdose can lead to death in some cases and friends need to respond appropriately. Don’t be fooled into thinking GHB is a bit of fun and that the warnings about the drug don’t apply to you because you know what you are doing. Things do go wrong even if you are extremely careful.
Remember: if you do not want any negative consequences, do not use the drug and, no matter how many times you have used a substance, never be blase.