Under the class of sedatives, GHB and Rohypnol are popularly known as date rape drugs. In many instances, victims are drugged when their drinks are spiked with GHB or Rohypnol.  They may wake up the next day not knowing how they got where they are or what happened the night before. What is it?

• GHB stands for gamma hydroxybutyric acid.
• It comes in  liquid and powder, tablet and capsule forms.
• GHB is odorless and tasteless.
• It depresses all brain functions.
• GHB is usually used to intoxicate or produce euphoria or for growth hormone releasing effects.

Street Names Liquid Ecstasy, Ever Clear, Scoop, G, Goop, G-Riffick, Georgia Home Boy, GHB, Liquid X, Cherry Menth How is it taken? GHB is can be taken orally in liquid form, smoked and snorted. Short-term Effect (10 - 20 minutes after taken, lasts up to four hours)

• Nausea
• Seizures
• Impaired memory
• Drowsiness

Long-term Effect

• Coma
• Memory impairment
• Damage to heart and lungs

Signs of Overdose

• Headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Loss of reflexes
• Impaired breathing

Central Nervous System depressant that relaxes or sedates the body--it can slow breathing and heart rate to dangerous levels. Behaviors of Users

• Relaxed mood
• Affectionate
• Sensual
• Slurred speech
• Tipsy or clumsy
• Playful
• Energetic

The Scoop on GHB

• GHB looks just like water.
• In the past, GHB was used for muscle growth just like steroids.
• HB has been related to sexual assaults.
• GHB is generally used by poly drug users, club kids, and college students.
• If taken in large doses, GHB can induce coma.
• GHB can cause death by through the suppression of the respiratory system and the induction of cardiac arrest.
• Once made available in health stores, the Food and Drug Administration has now banned GHB in the Unites States.
• GHB is metabolized quickly so it may be difficult to detect in the body.

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Sources: 1. http://www.health.org 2.  Kuhn, Cynthia, Scott Swartzwelder, and Wilkie Wilson.  Buzzed.  W. W. Norton and Company.  New York: 1998. 3.  http://www.drugfreeamerica.org