Illegal Drugs - Teacher Booklet

Illegal Drugs - The Facts 31 For more information see www.positivechoices.org.au what is it ? GHB is short for gamma-hydroxybutyrate and it is naturally produced in small amounts by the body. It is almost always sold as a clear or blue odourless liquid, usually in a little vial such as fish-shaped sushi soy sauce container and it’s normally swallowed. Problems with safety, including concerns about its use as a date rape drug, have led to it being classified as an illegal drug. Sometimes other substances called GBL and 1,4B are sold as GHB because they have similar effects but may be stronger (increasing the risk of overdose) or more toxic. GHB is also known as fantasy, grievous bodily harm, GBH, liquid ecstasy, liquid E, G, or Gina. Although it is sometimes referred to as liquid ecstasy or liquid E, it is not related to ecstasy at all. GHB There ’ s a very high risk of overdosing with GHB . There ’ s very little difference between the amount that causes the ‘ high ’ and the amount that causes an overdose . effects of ghb Once swallowed, GHB takes around 15–30 minutes to take effect and the effects last for about half an hour. Effects of GHB vary, but may include: immediate long term • Increased heart rate and chest pains • Drowsiness, passing out, blackouts or memory loss • Blurred vision • Feeling relaxed • Feeling of euphoria (a ‘high’) • Lethargy • Hot/cold flushes • Heavy sweating • Confusion and agitation • Nausea and vomiting • Headaches and dizziness • Tremors or shaking • Difficulty breathing • Overdose • Seizures • Coma • Little is known about the long term effects of GHB