The GHB issue is one with many facets which make simple solutions difficult.
What is clear is that GHB is a very dose dependent drug which reacts differently based on a range of factors incluging:
- tolerence
- metabolism
- quality (and whether it is really GHB as opposed to GBL or 1-4B)
- personal body chemistry
There is no amazing solution to a GHB overdose or intoxication (although a few trials have shown promise). GHB and it's precursor drugs need to metablolise out of the person's system over time. In the meantime all you can do is monitor and provide supportive care and possibly respiratory support.
What is clear is that GHB overdoses or extreme intoxications are time critical in their management. People who get help tend to survive. Anecdotally, the people who die on G have been left in someone's lounge room or something similar. In fact, there has been no recorded incidence of someone dying from GHB in Australia if first aid or paramedic assistance has arrived while the person was still breathing effectively. So if someone G's out, get help and do it fast.
Harm minimisation comes through a number of actions:
- Strong education so people understand the risks of the GHB family of substances
- Having appropriately equipped and trained first aid staff at event
- Teaching people to get help early (REMEMBER IN NSW AT LEAST, ONCE YOU CALL THE AMBOS, THE POLICE ARE UNLIKELY TO BUST ANYONE- IT IS THEIR POLICY)
Incidently, one of the interesting things about G is that because of the amnesic effect, people don;t actually remember their overdose, therefore, they don;t have a point of reference for how bad they felt. This has been shown in a recent study by NDARC. Compare this to getting a poor quality smacky pill. Most people will remember the four hours of vomiting and spinning out and are unkeen to do it again!
Being in charge of medical for a large number of Sydney's dance venues and parties, I have definitely noticed a rise in G use over the last year or two, however, effective management of G related issues is proving to have some solid effect in avoiding negative outcomes from GHB use. No drug is really safe, but thise who follow harm minimisation principles are clearly having better health outcomes related to GHB use.
Cheers,
Buck
What is clear is that GHB is a very dose dependent drug which reacts differently based on a range of factors incluging:
- tolerence
- metabolism
- quality (and whether it is really GHB as opposed to GBL or 1-4B)
- personal body chemistry
There is no amazing solution to a GHB overdose or intoxication (although a few trials have shown promise). GHB and it's precursor drugs need to metablolise out of the person's system over time. In the meantime all you can do is monitor and provide supportive care and possibly respiratory support.
What is clear is that GHB overdoses or extreme intoxications are time critical in their management. People who get help tend to survive. Anecdotally, the people who die on G have been left in someone's lounge room or something similar. In fact, there has been no recorded incidence of someone dying from GHB in Australia if first aid or paramedic assistance has arrived while the person was still breathing effectively. So if someone G's out, get help and do it fast.
Harm minimisation comes through a number of actions:
- Strong education so people understand the risks of the GHB family of substances
- Having appropriately equipped and trained first aid staff at event
- Teaching people to get help early (REMEMBER IN NSW AT LEAST, ONCE YOU CALL THE AMBOS, THE POLICE ARE UNLIKELY TO BUST ANYONE- IT IS THEIR POLICY)
Incidently, one of the interesting things about G is that because of the amnesic effect, people don;t actually remember their overdose, therefore, they don;t have a point of reference for how bad they felt. This has been shown in a recent study by NDARC. Compare this to getting a poor quality smacky pill. Most people will remember the four hours of vomiting and spinning out and are unkeen to do it again!
Being in charge of medical for a large number of Sydney's dance venues and parties, I have definitely noticed a rise in G use over the last year or two, however, effective management of G related issues is proving to have some solid effect in avoiding negative outcomes from GHB use. No drug is really safe, but thise who follow harm minimisation principles are clearly having better health outcomes related to GHB use.
Cheers,
Buck