narks
Bluelighter
New year beat dances to the drug-care tune
By OLIVIA HILL-DOUGLAS
Saturday 29 December 2001
A drug called fantasy - a powdered depressant that is often mixed with water and drunk - can render users unconscious and make them vulnerable to attack or date rape.
It is just one of the drugs Victoria Police will be looking out for this New Year's Eve, and revellers are urged to get medical help if taken ill.
Fantasy, also known as GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate), is more commonly used as a recreational intoxicant like alcohol or as a sleep-aid, according to website erowid.org, an on-line library about psychoactive plants and chemicals, put together by experts including users and health professionals.
Acting Assistant Commissioner of General Policing, Leigh Gassner, said it was important for anyone suffering ill-effects from drug use to seek help immediately, or to get help for their friends.
``We have to save their lives, and they shouldn't hesitate and get some medical help for those people as soon as they can,'' he said.
``We work closely to ensure that the ambulances and medical services are close for those people who take those drugs.''
Mr Gassner was speaking at the announcement of Melbourne's New Year's Eve entertainment, which this year will be separated into five precincts, stretching from Polly Woodside to the Swan Street Bridge.
An open-air cinema, skateboarding and freestyle BMX displays, live music and a $260,000 fireworks display will keep everyone entertained.
City streets and parks will be alcohol-free on Monday night, and extra police will be on the beat to watch out for public drinking and unruly behaviour, while every available booze bus will be operating.
People who drink on the street will be fined $100.
http://theage.com.au/news/national/2001/12/29/news_national7.html
By OLIVIA HILL-DOUGLAS
Saturday 29 December 2001
A drug called fantasy - a powdered depressant that is often mixed with water and drunk - can render users unconscious and make them vulnerable to attack or date rape.
It is just one of the drugs Victoria Police will be looking out for this New Year's Eve, and revellers are urged to get medical help if taken ill.
Fantasy, also known as GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate), is more commonly used as a recreational intoxicant like alcohol or as a sleep-aid, according to website erowid.org, an on-line library about psychoactive plants and chemicals, put together by experts including users and health professionals.
Acting Assistant Commissioner of General Policing, Leigh Gassner, said it was important for anyone suffering ill-effects from drug use to seek help immediately, or to get help for their friends.
``We have to save their lives, and they shouldn't hesitate and get some medical help for those people as soon as they can,'' he said.
``We work closely to ensure that the ambulances and medical services are close for those people who take those drugs.''
Mr Gassner was speaking at the announcement of Melbourne's New Year's Eve entertainment, which this year will be separated into five precincts, stretching from Polly Woodside to the Swan Street Bridge.
An open-air cinema, skateboarding and freestyle BMX displays, live music and a $260,000 fireworks display will keep everyone entertained.
City streets and parks will be alcohol-free on Monday night, and extra police will be on the beat to watch out for public drinking and unruly behaviour, while every available booze bus will be operating.
People who drink on the street will be fined $100.
http://theage.com.au/news/national/2001/12/29/news_national7.html
