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Tt_IL-lb-199c lr:1J FROhI IJSIN JERRY TO 9180959a01~6 P.02 GHB: STEROID-SUBSTTRlTE, PARTY DRUG SOURCE: MAGLOGLEN BULLEifN, VOL 74, NO. 4. - Law enforcement off vials should be value, GHB has even been u'~tcitly touted as a aware ofthe reemergence ofa steroid-substitute replacement for L-tryptophan, which has been drug available in the ]VIAGLOCLEN region. marketed as a food supplement. GHB has been Gamma Hydroxybuterate (GHB) has surfaced to illegally marketed under a variety of names, present ainiinterestiag obstacletoinvestigatoxs. A includ'mg Gamma Hydmxybutric Acid, Sodium recent ineideint with the PeinasviUe (NJ) P.D. is Oxybate, Sodium Oxybutyrate, Gamma an example of this. Hydroxybutrate Sodium, Gamma-OH, 4Hy- dmxyButyrate,Gamma Hydrateand Somatomvt In late February 1995, officers were in- PM. Commercially, it is distributed as a sodium vestigatiagwhattheythoughttobearoutiineDUl salt in powder or tablet form and is commonly traffic accident. The subject certainly appeared dissolved in water intoxicated; however, the results ofa breathalyzer examproduceda.00reading. Officcrstraasport- GHB has some powerful side effects, ed the subject to a local hospital for a drug screen, Bach as extreme and tmcontmllable drowsiness. and again the results weze negative. ABer an Overdosing resuhs in the following conditions: interview, the subject admitted to taking GHB, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, disorientation, ir- which he says was purchased at a local bar. regular respirations and possible respiratory ar rest. Up until November 1990, the official FDA Within the human body, GHB is a natu- stand was that GHB was an 'timapproved food rally occuzring fatty acid, although in very small sapplemeat." When several states reported out- amouats. bathe•late'1980s,GHBwaspopular breaksofpoisoningassociatedwithGHBusage, among the body-building ciurcles, used as a ste- the FDA changed its ehtssitficatioa ion November mid -substitute. Athletes were interested in its 1990, and`-named GHB an `lmapproved new use because of research showing a marked elo- dmg." The FDA also asked for a voluntary recaII vation in hutuan growth hormone secretion from of all GHB products. as little as a three gram oral dosage. Body builders also took GRID for iRS powerful sleep Since the FDA crackdown, users have inducing properties. Along wiRh its cure for attempted ways of developing their own supply insomaza, GH>3 produces feelings of relaxation of GRID. Only two cheuricals are needed to and euphoria. It is these side effects which have produce GHB. Any chemisCCy enthusiast with caught oa with thn71-seekers amd drug users. limited ability can cook up a batch of GHB fairly Currently, GHB lass been seen in connection easily. 73etwopro-cursoringredieatsare: gam- with rave parties and has a close association with tna butyrol lactone, a common zadustrial solvent, LSD usage. and sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda. The only other ingredients necessary are a At first, GHB was sold and advertised heat source and pH paper. These homemade openly, usually from mail order companies and recipes produce GHB in the liquid form. heahh food stores. Despite its lack ofnuttitional I