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Dear
Richard,
I am taking the unusual step of publishing a correspondent's
name. Before responding, I want to publicly thank Richard
Gregg who, for over 18 years has faithfully served as a member
and past officer of the Van Ost Institute's Board of Trustees.
Through thick and thin, through the good and the difficult
times, particularly during the Institute's early years, Richard
was one on whom we could always depend to help see us through.
The "Signet"
had printed the story of a one of four young man at a college
party who put a teaspoon of GHB into each of three girls'
drinks....they "just wanted to liven up the party"
Unfortunately, two of the girls passed out, then started vomiting
and gagging, even though unconscious....Four of the men removed
the girls from the living room and placed them in a bathroom
"so they wouldn't keep throwing up on the couch."
The third girl thought her friends would just "sleep
it off" and left them alone. She later "became concerned
when the breathing of one of her friends became labored. Cradled
in the arms of her friend, Samantha Reid died en route to
the hospital with her teeth clenched and her throat full of
vomit." The four men involved were brought to trial.
Three of them, aged 18 and 19, were found guilty of involuntary
manslaughter and possession...the fourth, age 26, was found
guilty as an accessory and for possession. As Mr. Gregg notes,
"........How ghastly!"
According
to the "Signet," "Use of the club drug, GHB,
on college campuses is growing.....Since 1990, GHB has been
responsible for 5,700 overdoses...linked to 58 deaths"
Aside from its popular reputation as a muscle enhancer and
as a sleep aid, it can produce euphoric highs,impacting within
10 to 20 minutes. It is easy to find, to store, and it's inexpensive.
Under the drug's influence, "the person can feel intoxicated,
energized, happy, affectionate, playful, sensual and uninhibited."
Since the 90s, GHB, like Ecstasy, has become evident at dance
parties, called "raves", which feature loud techno
music lasting for hours. Users "believe the drugs make
the party experience more intense through heightened physical
sensations and increased energy levels".... in other
words, "a fun drug."
GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate)
is one of several available party or "club drugs."
It goes by many street names, the more common being: Liquid
X, Liquid E, GBH, Gamma-oh and Blue Verve. It can be produced
as a clear liquid, a white powder, a tablet, or in capsule
form. The drug is manufactured by combining gamma butyrolactone
(GBL) and sodium or potassium hydroxide (the basic ingredients
of furniture and floor stripper as well as drain cleaner).
Usually taken orally it can be dissolved in water, soda or
alcoholic beverages. It is a schedule I drug under the Controlled
Substances Act, making it a crime to possess, manufacture
or sell GHB. In the same class as heroin, a conviction can
result in a jail sentence of up to 20 years.
This is
a "fun drug?" The "Signet" notes that
"when GHB is combined with other drugs and/or alcohol
(as it was with Samantha), serious life-threatening side effects
take the 'fun' out of this club drug: being conscious but
unable to move, rambling, incoherent or slurred speech, difficulty
thinking, memory loss, passing out, seizures, coma, and respiratory
arrest. GHB is now proving to be highly addictive, harder
to kick than most other addictive drugs."
Use of
GHB extends far beyond the rave scene...it is found in basement
parties and on college campuses.....in all parts of the country..urban,
suburban and rural. The Partnership for a Drug-free America,
reports that the percentage of club drug use by teens (starting
as early as age 13) has doubled from 5% in 1995 to almost
10% in 2000.
Parents:
Are your kids having this kind of "fun?".......No,
you say?........Are you sure?
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