Australian Ravers Drowning in GHB
Ambulances are lining up outside of raves in Melbourne. For the first time in Victoria, people attending large dance events are coming close to death – someone is giving them way too much GHB. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate has been famous for some time now, known most posthumously as the date rape drug. It usually comes in a clear, odorless liquid that tastes like sweat and is most commonly used as a last resort for party people in need of some sleep. It has no place at a rave and the 28 people who were hospitalized this month at a single Trance music party in Melbourne are testimony enough.
The drug makes you silly and can knock you out real quick. In high amounts it can cause coma and seizures. Dosage is extremely crucial. A water bottle cap full is standard practice and an efficient amount. It is also probably somewhere very close to the $7 two milliliter hit being sold at Australian raves. This is not enough to put somebody in the hospital. For a little person it may induce unconsciousness for a few minutes but that’s it. Irresponsible drug dealers are ruining the party by letting people drink this stuff like it’s beer and perhaps with beer which is an even worse idea. And that’s not to say those overdosing are any smarter, unaware of what they are taking.
Whether or not these bastards are completely ignorant to the workings of the chemical, they have been at it for months. Although there have only been 10 deaths caused by GHB in Australia since 2000, the drug is suddenly killing the scene. 10 people were hospitalized from the drug at a New Years Eve party and 30 people were treated for its effects at a party two weeks before that. A rave scheduled for later this year has also been canceled as promoters fear its prevalence.
[WA Today]
