HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0078.001 1996-1998 ~ y o v Nq KEITH KANESHIRO
~9°a DIRECTOR
.ENJAMIN J. CAYETANO °f~/ `>h}ya,~.r °
GOVERNOR
c ~ CORA lUM
~ DEPUTY DIRECTOR
P
b~kf `'F JEFF VAMASHITA
~O.pyt~,n~t>0'
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
STATE OF HAWAII ROBERT C. VIDUYA
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY DEPUTY DIRECTOR
NARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT DIVISION
771 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 7422 No.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
(8081 594-07 50
TESTIMONY ON COUNCIL BILL 96 CD 1
A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OR POSSESSION OF
PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN GHB
By Keith Kamita, Administrator - ` RECENED Y
Narcotics Enforcement Division n^~-------- By------------------
Department ofPublic Safet Date_________~7at1Y.7.____._.____-__-_.._
y County Council ~ ~ C
Hawaii County Council
Councilmembers:
I would like to thank the Hawaii County Council members for taking on the task of
attempting to establish restrictions on the possession, sale, and cause for sale of
Gatruna hydroxybutyrate (GHB) containing products in the City and County of
Honolulu. Across the nation and here in Hawaii reports of cases of GHB or "Liquid
X" abuse has caught the attention of law enforcement as well as law makers as another
"date rape drug."
In the late 1980's Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) was popular among the body
building circles, used as asteroid-substitute. Within the human body (GHB), is a
natural occurring fatty acid, although in very small amounts. GHB was found to
elevate in human growth hormone secretion from as little as a three gram oral dosage.
GHB was also known as a cure for insomnia due to its powerful sleep inducing
properties. GHB produces feelings of relaxation and euphoria. It is this side effect
that has caught on with thrill seekers and drug users. GHB has been seen in connection
with "Rave parties" and has a close association with Ecstasy and LSD usage. A
common way that GHB is consumed is to place the liquid into fruit drinks. After
approximately fifteen minutes after ingesting GHB the user will have one of the
following three reactions; No affect at all; a warm, smooth, sweet MDMA(Ecstasy)-
like rush; or extreme nausea followed by vomiting, seizures and a comatose state that
last as long as six hours. GHB is not dose specific.
GHB has some powerful side effects, such as extreme and uncontrollable drowsiness.
Overdosing results in the following conditions: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, Q
Comte. Dia • O /
File Igo. fFCC.
i~r ~~Presenred FG
":\n Equal Opportunity Employer/Agency"
IP.ef. DBte J,4N 9 r
Hawaii County Council
January 21, 199 J
Page 2
disorientation, severe respiratory problems, seizures and coma alone make this drug a
danger to the public.
In the United States, the only legal use of GHB has been under specific Food and Drug
Administration exemptions for investigational research protocols. The Narcotics
Enforcement Division will be introducing a bill during the 1997 legislative session to
schedule Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) as a controlled Schedule I controlled
substance, which would classify it as a dangerous drug and not for medical use.
Once again, I would like to thank the Council for attempting to attack a potentially
deadly problem before it takes more lives here in Hawaii.
....FDA Consumer, Septemb 1995 Investigators' Rs+~orts Page
....FDA Consumer, September 1995 Investigators` Repor~s
Drug Trafficker Jailed
by Paula Kurtzweil
A 52-year-old California man is serving a 16-month sentence at Federal
Prison Camp, Boron, Calif., for helping to sell and distribute an illegal dr
touted for weight control, bodybuilding, and insomnia.
Fran is ar s en er, a so nown as Fran i ards. formerly of Villa
Park, Calif., now of Laguna Beach, Calif., was sentenced ~~ct. 27, 1994, for
conspiring to illegally distribute gamma hydroxybutyrate, or GHB. His
co-worker, Lance Crews Griffin, 46, was sentenced March 23, 1994, to two yea
nine months.
GHB is le all allowed as an investigational new drag for treatment of
narco_eps a rare slee in sickness. I e a as yen romote or
strPnvth t~ininq, muscle bui ding, weiq t loss and as
a+r~acement for
L-tryptophan, a food supplement used as a sleep aid FDA acdered removed from
the market in 1989, after it was linked to a rare bland disorder. GH8 also i
•used illegally as a hallucinogen.
can cause severe stomach pain, low blood pressu.ce, irregular
eartbeat, vomiting, dizziness, seizures, respiratory arrest, liver failure,
and coma. Health authorities have received reports of illnesses in at least
people in California, Florida and Georgia since 1991.
Under the name Omniopathy Products, Zenker and Griffin sold GHB in bul'.
powder and capsule form, bottled and falsely labeled as a:lother illegal
product, glutathione, from a fictitious company named RTL Labs of Oakland,
Calif. They distributed the product throughout the United States and abroad.
FDA learned about the men's illegal activities thro•lgh "Operation Big
Mouth," a massive effort by FDA, the U.S. Customs Service, the U.S. Attorney
Office, and other government agencies to identify and prosecute illicit drug
traffickers. It was so named because defendants cooperate•3 with authorities
admitting guilt and identifying other drug traffickers. C,~operatinq defendan
also helped FDA make undercover purchases of illegal drugs.
Armed with information about Omniopathy, in March 1391, FDA investigat
went to the business address at a residence in Villa Park. Calif., where the
spoke to Griffin. (This address was later identified as also being Zenker`s
residence.)
Griffin identified himself as company owner and sari he founded the
company--a pharmaceutical distributorship--in 1988. He said he had more thar
800 customers and the company made about $350,000 a year. He also told
investigators he stopped selling GHB in 1991, after FDA issued a warning ab<
the drug.
FDA learned that Zenker worked for Omniopathy part ~ime and was one o:
six employees. None of the employees was a licensed pharmacist and none had
approval to receive, make or distribute drugs.
In August 1991, FDA investigators tracked the busin•ss to a new site
Santa Ana, Calif. Searching through trash at the new location, investigator
found invoices and other documents showing Omniopathy was selling GHB. One
invoice included the typed statement "Dr. Thatcher, the O:ty-Sleep is the
product that we had discussed before (GHB, relabeled), an outstanding produ
- ~r199b 1340 FROM SAhI FRANCISCO PAS TO 91'~3089445~_~ r.u~
....FDA Consumer, SeptembCr 1995 investigators' .ports Page
for sleep plus for its growth hormone properties."
In January 1992, an undercover FDA investigator cal Led Omniopathy's
toll-free number and talked to a person who identified himself as Frank
Richards. They discussed the company's "Oxy-Sleep." According to the
investigator, Richards said the product's active ingredie:~t was gamma
hydroxybutyrate, which he acknowledged was "off the market."
The investigator ordered and received various dosaga forms of Oxy-Slee
FDA analyses showed the product contained GHB.
In other undercover telephone calls, FDA ordered, received and tested
additional supplies of Oxy-Sleep, which also tested positive for GHB.
In February 1992, investigators, armed with a warrant, searched the
premises in Santa Ana. Among items seized were:
* numerous computers containing invoices for drug products dated from 1:
through 1992
* promotional materials for Omniopathy products
* letters and documents on adverse reactions people had to Omniopathy
products
* numerous drug injectables, powders and capsules worth an estimated
• $500,000, according to Omniopathy's price list. FDA analysis showed th
drugs were GHB.
During the search, investigators extracted £rom com;~uter data informat
about the Villa Park site, which led FDA to obtain a seco:zd search warrant f
that site. There, investigators found 645 kilograms of GH3 and various other
illegal drugs.
In interviews with Omniopathy employees and business associates, FDA
learned that Griffin bought GHB and placed it in unlabeled bottles and jars
stored at Zenker's Villa Park residence_ Griffin then had labels made and ha
an unindicted co-conspirator of his and Zenker's put the Labels on the bottl
and jars. The labels identified the product as Oxy-Sleep snd Falsely stated
that the active ingredient was the illegal drug glutathio:ze. Also, the label
did not give adequate directions for use and warnings.
From his home, Zenker helped fill and ship GHB orders via the U.S. Pos
Service and from assorted private mail drops.
In June 1992, a grand jury for the U.S. District Co']rt for the Centra]
District of California handed down a six-count indictment against Zenker anc
Griffin. Because of health problems, Zenker was tried separately from Graff:
in June 1994, at which time the jury found Zenker guilty ~f all counts.
In addition to prison, Zenker was sentenced to two gears' probation. F
is eligible for parole in 1996.Paula Kurtzweil is a member of FDA's public
affairs staff.
d5-i99e 13 41 FROM SAN FRgNCISCO PAS TO 913089445252 P.04
....FDA Consumer, October 1994 Investigators' Reports Paqe
....FDA Consumer, October 1994 Investigators' Reports
Georgia Man Arrested
In GHB Seizure
Charcoal dust covered the teenager's Pace when she awoke in the hospital
intensive care unit. Her throat felt like it was on fire. She had lost
consciousness several hours earlier after an overdose of en unapproved drug
called gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB). The charcoal on her fece came from the
mixture used to pump her stomach, and her throat pain from emergency workers'
efforts to help her breathe.
This is one of many serious reactions to GHB that FDA iiscovered during a
year-long investigation in 1993 that eventually led to a 21-month prison
sentence and a $30,000 fine for the man who sold the unap:~roved drug to the
teenager and many others.
On April 14, Joseph Saffar, Morrow, Ga., was sentenced in the U.S. Distric
Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Saffar, 55, pleaded guilty last
Dec. 9 to one felony count of introducing a misbranded drag into interstate
commerce.
GHB is promoted illegally for strength training, muscly building, weight
loss, and as a replacement for L-tryptophan, a food supplelaent that FDA order
removed from the market in 1989 after reports associated its use with a rare
blood disorder. GHB is also sold and used as a hallucinogen and a sleep
inducer. FDA has_not approved the drug ~ marketing in t:zis country for any
use. However, chnaca ria s currently are testing its ssfety any
~~ctiveness as a treatment for narcolepsy, a rare disorder characterized by
uncontrollable periods of sleep.
Although Saffar was sentenced based on his activities in 1993, his
involvement with GHB first came to FDA's attention in January 1991, when his
_ name appeared on a customer list belonging to Amino Disco inters Ltd., a Tucso
Ariz., firm the agency was investigating for manufacturing and distributing
GHB.
On Jan. 2, 1991, Atlanta district FDA investigator Eris Weiiage visited
Saffar at his Morrow, Ga., health food store,-Naturally Good. Weilaqe warned
him that it was illegal to sell GHB. Saffar replied that Ze no longer sold it
but that he believed GHB was a legitimate product and felt FDA was harassing
Amino Discounters for no reason.
At some time during the next two years, Saffar began selling GHB again, an
in November 1992, the Morrow Police Department relayed to FDA's Atlanta offic
a citizen`s complaint about the sale of GHB at Naturally ;ood. In January, a
member of the Fayette County, Ga., Narcotics Task Force raported to FDA an
overdose associated with the use of GHB purchased from Naturally Good.
On Jan. 14, FDA investigator Marie Mathews interviewed the woman who had
complained to the police. The woman`s daughter told Mathe•ds that fellow high
school students were buying GHB at Naturally Good.
That same day, Mathews went to Naturally Good undercov:r and purchased a
bottle of GHB. A week later, she bought five more bottles. Saffar told her GHi
could be used to "bulk up" and to "get high."
On April 8, an Atlanta Constitution reporter told FDA .he Fayette County
Department of Emergency Services had responded to 11 cases of GHB overdoses
_-OS-1996 13 42 FROM SAN FRANCISCO PRS TO 9L3089445252 P.OS
_...FDA Consumer, October 1994--- Investigators' Reports Page
since December 1992. In addition, a member of the Fayette County Narcotics Tt
Force told FDA's Mathews that GHB was the number one drug problem in Fayette
County schools and that Naturally Good was the source for most of the GHB.
At that time, FDA and the U.S. Attorney`s Office in Atlanta began the wor}
on a search and seizure warrant for Saffar's Naturally Goad store, while the
agency continued to gather evidence against Saffar.
FDA investigator Cheryl Dyer, who is with FDA's Greenville, S.C., resident
post, visited Saffar's store twice in late May. She told Saffar she was a
friend of "Pam," Mathews' alias, and he sold her several :~ottles of GHB. On
June 15, she phoned Saffar and ordered 12 bottles of GHB to be shipped to
Starr, S.C., a suburb of Greenville.
The GHB arrived June 22, and on July 1, Dyer called to order four or five
more cases. Saffar said it would take at least a month be Fore he would be ab]
to send her that much_
The next day FDA investigators from the Atlanta office, FDA agents from tY
agency's Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI}, and locs.l police, armed wit
a search warrant, searched Saffar's store and seized 22 battles of GHB.
With Saffar's consent, OCI agents also searched a near:~y storage shed
Saffar leased and his home, where they found 75 bottles a:zd $60,000.
On July 12, Dyer received a letter from Saffar saying that FDA was
investigating him, and if the government contacted her, size should tell them
had sold Pier shark cartilage.
On Aug. 26, Dyer received a letter from Saffar stating, "There's plenty of
stuff in stock now," but that the GHB was in liquid form Lnstead of the powde
he had been selling.
This was the evidence Dyer and the other investigators had been seeking,
because several of the overdose victims said the GHB they bought from Saffar
was in liquid form.
On Sept. 8, Dyer went to Morrow and bought a case of 1Lquid GHB from
Saffar, and the next afternoon, called to say she wanted to buy five more
cases. Saffar agreed and told her to come by the store in about 30 minutes.
Instead of Dyer, other FDA investigators and agents and l~~cal police showed L
with a warrant issued earlier in the day. OCI agents arrested Saffar and
charged him with knowingly delivering for introduction in :o interstate comme>:
a misbranded drug. They seized five cases of liquid GHB a: his Morrow store a
storage shed. Fourteen more cases were seized at a store Saffar owned in
Marietta, Ga.
U. S. Attorney Gerrilyn Brill charged Saffar on Dec. 9, 1993. Saffar is
currently serving his prison sentence. At press time, the seized GHB was stil
in FDA's possession.
Personnel from FDA's Atlanta office and Office of Criminal Investigations
provided Georgia narcotics authorities and the Georgia Ge:ieral Assembly
background information on the dangers and extent of GHB d:uq abuse. On March
1994, Georaia became rhp-first Grate to make.GHB a controlled substance
st~i
~e
to state and local law enforcement.
==iSori S e in
r15-1996 13 42 FROM SAN FRANCISCO PRS TO 91.3089445252 P.06
U.E. D[~ARTMCNT O? H[AGTH AND HUMAN i[RVIC[s
I~90-53 Food and Drug Adminisaation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Bill Grigg - (301) 443-32$5
Nov. 8, 2990 Donald McLearn -(301)443-4177
The Food and Drug Administration today warned consumers to dscontimre use of an
illegally marketed drug -GHB or gamma hydroxybtttyric acid -that has been promoted as a
"legal psychedelic" but has caused more than 30 people in California, Florida and Georgia to
become ill with symptoms ranging from Nausea and vomiting to severe aspiratory problems,
seiwres and coma.
Health departments in those states have been working with the FDA to learn more about
the Gi•IH-linked illnesses. Thus far, the investigation has uncovered strong evidence linking
GHB coa~rmption to the illnesses.
Gamma hydrozybutyric acid, also called sodium ozybate and gamma hydroxybutyrate
sodium, is a chemical that is being promoted for strength training, body building, weight loss
and as a replacement for L-tryptophaa, a food supplement that FDA ordered removed from the
market last year after it was linked to a rare blood disorder.
GHB has been need in Europe as an anesthetic adjunct and it is being evaluated in
FDA-approved conical trials for the treatment of narcolepsy.
The FAA offered co~a~~ the following medical advice:
- Anyone taking GHB outside of physician-supervised cliniGd trials should stop
immediately.
Aupone who has consumed GHB and is experiencing seizures, uncontrolled
shaking, headache, unexplained drowsiness or other central nervous system
disorders, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea should coast It their physician
immediately.
Physicians treating patients exhibiting these conditions should report these cases
to their local poison control center.
According to the California health department, GHB is sold througt, mail order oudeu,
health food stores, body building gyms and fitness centers. tt is marketed as aowder or granules.
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
JUL-16-1996 15 15 FR0h1 WSIN JERRY TO 918085940156 P.03
Under.federal law, GHB is not classified DEA or FDA laboratory. Many state and local
as a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS). laboratories are unaware of the methodology
The only state to have this classified as a CDS is necessary for obtaiaiag a positive reaction for
George. 'rite U.S. Drag Eafoxcement Adminis- GHB.
tradon (DF.A) is vary interested is any and aII
cases involving GHB abuse. The Dl?,A is cur- if your agency has come in coated with
ready gathering data oa GHB usage is hopes of GHB or a suspect sample, the DEA contact is Dr.
having it placed under Schedule 1 of the Con- James Tolliver at DEA Headquarters in Wash-
trolledSubstanceAct. Duetotherelativeobscu- intgtoa,D.C.,(202)307-7184. Dr.Tolliveristhe
rity of GIiB availability, the DEA suggests chat DEA e:~ert and point man for GHB data. He
any agency which, comes across a potential GHB will also be able to assist local prosecutors on
sample should have it tested by your regional options wacetaiag GHB charges.
RAVE PARTIES
PROVIDED BY ANALYST DAVE JOHNSON
VC1C
(804) 3.23.2022
SOURCE: R/A VALERIE HICKS, CRIMINAL INTEWGENCE DIVISION,
MARYLAND STATE POLICE (MSP)
The MSP originated the following intelligence. ' It is disseminated with MSP permussion. It
is published for your information as it may also apply to your jurisdictions.
Recently the MSP Criminal ffiteiligence Division noted an increase in the number of inquiries
concerning Rave parties and the types of illicit drugs associated with thaee gatherings. The following
information may assist law enforcement officials who may encounter illicit drugs during traffic stops
in which juveniles or young adults are involved or who may receive reports of drug overdoses or drug
activity in local schools.
Rave parties, also known asunderground orafter-how parties, are all-night dance parties held
at night clubs. warehouses, and parks. DJs from New Rork, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washias,,ton,
D.C., travel up and down the Eastern Seaboazd to play the "cechno musio" heard at these gatherings.
The music, accompanied by laser and strobe li¢ht shows, is loud and characterized by a fast, pulsating
beat. Large rave patties are considered to be special events and are verypopular and well-attended
by yotm2 people. It is not uncommon for people to travel fow or five hours to attend one of thcsc
partiez
JtUL-16-1996 15 16 FROM WSIN TERRY TO F 918085940156 P.04
{ t
. iii
V~rg~nia J~Ze' ~~~a~
State
Pol~ee Btueau of Criminal Investigation
l~ol. 9, No .6, June l99S
Yu~ginia
Assoca,ation of .
Law Enforcement
Intelligence
Documentation
Criminal v-ugxmia
Intelligence Narcotic
Section Pointer
Database Index
Virginia
Van Criminal ~
Dru
Loan Intelligence Information
Program Center - % Hotline
Telephone Number HEAT
Intelligence Help Eliminate
System Auto Theft
~ ~ I
JUL-16-1996 1°~17 FP.~M WSIN JERRY TO 918085940156 P, J7
/ ~1)
MAGLO GLEN
BIGGER, FASTER, STRONGER, MEANER:
ANABOLIC STEROIDS
•
V'" ENFORC,py~,'
Y
M M
~Q~ •
SPECIAL REPO1tT
PREPARED BY: STEVEN P. 1bR1
CR7QvttNAr.. JUSTiCfi ANALYST
JUNE 1994
7UL-16-1996 15 16 FROM WSIN JEP.P.Y TO 918685940156 P.OS
MAGLOCLEN-SpectAL REPORT 10
ANABOLIC $TEROIAS JUNE 1994
Non-anabolic steroids commonly abused in conjunction with steroid use:
• CLEN6VTEROL (Beta Agonists): equine asthma drug, believed to cut fat. Highly
dangerous side effecu in animals and second generation research studies. Prices:
$100 per 100 tablets. Dosage: 3 tablets daily.
• CLOMID (Ontiftn): this is not a steroid, but ratttez a fertility dnrg for use by women.
Used by male bodybuilders to stimulate testicular functiton after coming off a cycle.
Ii acts directly on the pituitary gland to stimulate more gonadotrvplns, which in tum
produce more testosterone. pg~: n/a ~2~: 2 tablets ~lY•
• HtTMAN CxROr1IC GoNAnArxoplrr: an injectable fertility drug manufactuzed from
the urine of pregnant women. Used to stimulate testicular function at the end of a
cycle. Comes in two ampoules which must be mixed togethez. $80 per
single cycle.
• ASCELt.ACRIN, CRESCORMIN (Human Growth Hormone) [G, Growth]: a naturally
occurring hormone found in the human body. It is manufacdrred through the
extraction of the pituitary gland of cadavers. It stimulates growth throughout the
human body and may result in abnormal growth. $6,000 for a 4-6 week
cycle.
• NOVALOEX (Talmoxifen Cimue): this is ananti-estrogen product. T7re production
of estrogen is often the result of steroids that aromatize in the body. It fights the
build-up of estrogen, but will not remove estrogen build-ups that already exist. It is
taken to prevent the formation of gynecomastia. Price: $2 per pill. leg: 4
tablets daily.
Beta Agonists, GHB
In addition to the steroids, a relatively new form of body~rrhancing drugs have
emerged on the market over the last ten years-the beta agonists. The most common
form is clenbuterol. These types of drugs are almost exclusively used In the treatment
of animals. The only legal exception for human use is in a specialized medical use as
specific bronchiodilators, used by asthmatics to relax the bronchi muscles.
Animal research indicates that large dosages of beta agonists may enhance teen
body mass and raluce an animal's body fat. This effect is' certainly appealing to
anyone who would abuse anabolic steroids. However, like all other illegal substances.
there are serious side effects. Major health problems have been documented in animal
studies. Heart attacks, strokes, violent muscle tremors, hemorrhaging and cancerous
tumors have all been attributed to this class of drugs. An important factor in the
research determined that these major side effects were not seen in the animals
JUL-16-1996 15 17 FROM iilSIN JEF.P.Y TO 918085940156 F.06
MAGLOCLEN-SPECIAL RF.1'oRr 11
AtvA>3oLic STEROIAS 7tJNE 1994
themselves, but in their offspring. Second generation animal studies have documented
an elevated incidence of tumors. For this reason, most pharmatxutical companies
working with clenbuterol and cirrtaterol have ceased research. Clinically, only tests
have been conducted on animals, but researchers agree that the same side effects would
occur iua humans.
Another potential health risk evolves from the use of Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate
(GHB). Several U.S. states have experienced outbxatks of poisoning associated with
the illicit use of GHB. '.I'Ite result of GHB poisoning Produces vomiting, drowsiwess, a
hypnotic state, loss of consciousness, irregukar respirations and possible respiratory
arrest.
GHB is a normal metabolite produced by the body and is not a
nutritional requirement. Skate at least May 1990, GHB has boon marketed
illicitly to body builders. It has also been promoted illicitly for weight
control and insomnia. Despite its lack of nutritional value, GHB has even
been illicitly touted as a "replacement" for I.-trypmphan, which had been
marketed as a food supplement. It is alleged that GHB produces a "high."
The promotion of this effect has led to the further use of GHB as an illicit
drug. Investigations conducted by the State Food and Drug Branch in San
Jose, California, revealed drat some of the same distributors involved in
illegally mazketing GHB are also involved in illegally marketing steroids.
GH$ is sold through mail order outlets, health food stores, body
building gyms, and fitness centers. GHB has been illegally marketed under
a variety of names, including Gamma Hydroxybutsic Aoid, Sodium
Oxybate, Sodium Oxybutyrate, Gamma Hydroxybutrate Sodium, Gamtna-
OH, 4-Hydroxy Butyrate, Gamma Hydrate, wad Somatomax PM. It is
distributed as a sodium salt in powder or tablet form and is commonly
dissolved in water. GHB may also be offered in other forms or in
combination with other ingredients. '
In the United States, the only legal use of GHB has been under
specific Food and Drug Administration (FllA) exemptions for
investigational research protocols (e.g., treatment of narcolepsy).'
~Druzr mtd the Law. by Gary 1. Miller, Gould Publications
A recent Newsweek article detailing the increased popularity in designer drug
use, touted GHB as "an obscure and dangerous steroid substitute," which produces an
alcohol-like drowsiness, costing as little as $20 per' ounce.
Counterfeits
The demand for counterfeit steroids increased in the United States over the last
fifteen years as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that
generic steroids manufactured by pharmaceutical companies were of docreasing value to
the medical wmmunity and limited their production. Unlicensed labs began trying to
FOF of^C.>L q~c cq•FORCESIE>'T CSE O'~L)'-D:SS&~1iti 4TID~ RESTAICLED
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JUL-16-1996 15.18 FROM i~SIN JERRY
such as "Snapple" It also is poured into bottlod water.
About fifteen minua~s efts taking GHB, the user will have
orte of the following three reactions: No affect at all: a warm.
smooth. sweet. NIDMA-L7to rush: or extreaw nausea followed by
vomiting, seiwres and acomsnos! state that earl test as long as
six hours. GHB is not dose specific. Ice other words, the amount
needed to nuke parson A [eel affects, may do nothing for person
8.
Ice rho case i am fatniiiaz with, the comatose state hated for
six hours. and thm the patient simply "woke up" and walked out
' of the emtrgeetcy room with no IU effxts
1 have seen 15 to 20 people under the influence of GHB.
Unfortunately, dtu to polydrug ttsa I cannot say what the
symproms of GH8 intlttence alone, are.
Of the pteopic I have evaluated. they have either btxa under
the influence of eannabia or MDMA, in wnjunetion with GHB.
In aU subjoets however. Ute following was present:
ittuttediue tmtet of htxiw:ttat gave ttysiagmtu;strabismus;
diliied pupils with ao visible rtxetioa to light; ltteraased pulse:
iPtteaaed blood ptossute; extxtssive sweating; ntusde flaccidity;
and moderate to wctreme ataxia.
Subm/tf¢d BY OHB Is ditfietdt to find fn urine or blood. I had a DUI ease
by GrxgoryA l~pa6ick where I suspected the defendant was under the inflttettoe of
Stater Aolitt, San FYandsm GHS. when 1 asked the Sur Frstteiaco Corona's Office to run a
test for GHB. I fotttul that they had never heard of this substance
HB or Galilee Iiydroxy Butyric P;cid (also imown as before The namotica tab had never hard of GH8 either.
4-hydroxy butyric acid. sodium salt form). is making Fortunately dte ddef taedieal examiner. Dr. Boyd Stephrns
{ts way into the raves and dance clubs of California. was open-mlrtded. (the respect took what?) and believed me Q
GHB is a natttratly occurring substancx in the brain. It think.) i coutaetcd Kathleen Andrews, a forensic chemist with
was experimented with for years as a possible DEA's Wcstem Plaid Lab. Kathleen had analyzod some GHS in
anesthedc. but with poor tssuits. - Liquid form I had previously swt in. so I knew she was familiar
It was sold ova the counter at health food stows and through the drag,
the mail. It reportedly eohaneed the etTtxts of steroids by raising 1 obtained the testing instructions, and a lab statttiard from
the levels of htmtart growth hormoac in the blood stream. This 1~~~, ~ gam them to 7oxiovlogist firtinda Biscatra. Linda
prove! to be false. Weight lifters also tree it as a nighttime fat tests all of trry urine and 61ood samples. and always has boon
bums. You may rtmtctnber such brand aamcs as Somatomax ablo to detctx aver the unctmtmon substances.
and Gamma-OH. L'wdaread up on the testing procedure. and could trot find any
GHB has been banned by the FDA for human consumption. documented ease of anyone testing urine for GHB. Linda
This was done after people across the cwntry started to report modffled ~ testing prooedute used for blood. and with help
adverse affects after taking GHB• from Kathleen (and many, many. many hours of time and effort
GHB normally is found in, a white powder. it is easily trade ~ both pttu) was to ~ GHB from ~ urine
illicitly, with c}temirals that art reluivdyeaay to obtain. and not saatpla Linda gttatttitat~ ~ GH8 u 1975 ug/ml of urine (a
aontrotted. very high levd).
It is not illegal ro possess GHB. as it not Gated in any of the ~B is getting mate aced mots populaz. sad I believe we will
floc drug schedules. It is a misdemturtor to furnish GHB under roe a>~ inctpse in ib use. Aside from the rave crowd. body
ration a2278P. There is no punitive section for being under the bnilden at< ~ l3Fi$ in the bay area.
influence. but it is a misdemeanor to drive under the influence of One of aufhOaties ~ GH8 is Dr. Jo 611en Dyer
GH$ (23152(a)VG7.
OfTicus are likely to encounter GHB in small plastic botiles. from San Franciaov Gatetal {iospital. Dr. Dye has done
These bottles arc about three inches tali. ate white transluceat. exttasive testarch on GHB. and has put together a papa that is
and have a whitC cap. They wnuin water with GHB ntixed in. very infornutive I treed her paper for some of the iofotmatioa in
This mixtuts is odorless and colorless. GHB when taken in this this ankle.
fora will give a ssiry. bitter aftcttaste. when in the powder form, If your lab needs assistance is testing for GHB ;the two most
it may give ofY a slight odor similar to moiltbalis. kuowledgcable people I am aware of are,lbxiwlogist 6tGnda
A common way to consume GHB is to take one to two Siscatta (SP~Coroaet's Office. 415-553-9010), and FortatiC
capfuls from the boric. This is equal to approximately one to Qtemist Kaddoat Andrews (DfiA Westaa Field Lab SF. 415-
two teaspoons. Sometimes users will mix GHB with fruit drinks 744-7051).
TO 918085940156 P.09
JUL-16-1996 15 19 FROM "5IN JERP.Y
w ..r..w.----
* ~ t 1k
Cir~ lII MlC~ll~
The Michigan State Police, east Lasssing Laboratory (about 70
miles mast o1' Detroit) received a plastic bag containing an
exhibit of off-white chunky material. "(rasambling 'met crack'),"
The material, submitted by a Drug Task Force Team, consisted of
7.9 g of a crystalline solid. The substaace cows identified by
FT-IR as the sodium salt of gamma-hYdrosYbutyrie acid (G88).
This is the first laboratory encounter mith GFID in the mid-
Michigaa area.
MICROGRAM, VOL. XXVII, NO. 7, JiTLY 1994 Page_-205
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