Kelli Richardson enjoys going out on weekends, but she also knows about GHB, ecstasy and other club drugs - and often worries about being exposed to them.
“Sometimes when I go out with my friends, I think about someone slipping a drug into my drink,” the microbiology sophomore said. “Most of the time I don’t think too much about it, but there are always those ‘what if’ questions in the back of my mind.”
Gov. John Engler recently declared March as GHB Awareness Month. The Michigan Department of Community Health, Michigan Women’s Commission, Michigan State Police and the Samantha Reid Foundation have been working to increase awareness and prevention of the drug.
Gamma Hydroxybutyrate has been nicknamed grievous bodily harm, G, scoop and liquid ecstasy. The drug, developed in the 1960s, is a central nervous system depressant and is most often abused in an attempt to feel euphoric, relaxed and uninhibited.
The drug is usually found in liquid form and is made from two primary household chemicals: lye and acetone.
Jim McBryde, special assistant for drug policy for the Michigan Department of Community Health, said GHB is dangerous and people need to watch out for it.
“GHB can lull a person into a deep state of relaxation, even when a small amount is consumed,” McBryde said. “When under its influence a person can appear to be drunk, which makes it hard for people to tell it has been taken.
“The drug does not respond to body weight like most drugs - it just doesn’t work this way. One never knows how much it will take to kill you, and that is what makes it even more dangerous.”
McBryde said he would advise anyone who thinks he or she has come in contact with the drug to go straight to the hospital.
“The only thing that can be done to save a person is for that person to go on a respirator as soon as possible,” he said.
GHB can be slipped into an unsuspecting person’s drink, rendering the person defenseless. Ingesting the drug can result in unconsciousness, vomiting, seizures, coma and even death.
“I would advise everyone who is going out to always watch your drinks,” McBryde said. “You have to pay attention to your surroundings, never leave your drink unattended and just watch out for everyone you’re with.”
McBryde said it is important to remember the drug’s odorless and colorless qualities make it easy to slip into drinks without the person’s knowledge.
“The message is to watch yourself and keep in mind that you can never be too safe,” he said.
Hospitality business sophomore Chad Mott said he isn’t worried about GHB or other club drugs.
“I’ve heard quite a bit about the drug, especially about it being used as a date-rape drug,” he said. “I’m not too concerned about it, with me being a male, but I can see why a female could be scared about it.
“It’s sad to know that people will resort to such measures to fulfill their personal pleasures.”
