More Geelong residents using ‘dangerous’ drug GHB

Dozens of people have been rushed to Geelong hospital’s emergency department this year after overdosing on an “extremely dangerous” clear liquid.

More than 50 people have been rushed to Geelong hospital’s emergency department for suspected GHB overdoses this year, with the state’s top drug and alcohol body concerned about a rise in usage across the region.

Gamma hydroxybutyrate, better known as GHB, is a depressant drug which slows down the central nervous system.

Also known as “liquid ecstasy” or a “date rape” drug, it is typically a colourless, odourless liquid used in social or party settings.

So far this year, 55 have people sought treatment for suspected GHB overdoses at Geelong hospital’s emergency department.

Victoria Alcohol and Drug Association chief executive Chris Christoforou said drug treatment services in Geelong were concerned about an increase in GHB usage.

“Over the past decade, there has been a seven-fold increase in the number of people in Geelong requiring paramedic support where GHB is a contributing factor,” he said.

Paramedics were called to 193 incidents involving GHB in the Greater Geelong region in the 2021/22 financial year, according to Turning Point data.

That was an increase from 183 the previous year.

Geelong support service Meli also reported a rise in the drug’s usage among clients.

Meli’s director of youth and housing Josephine Taylor said young people were disproportionately impacted by GHB use because they were often unaware of its dangers.

“One of the most dangerous aspects of GHB is that a very small increase in the amount of GHB used can cause a significant increase in the effects,” she said.

“It’s short acting and therefore use is often every hour or two with the plan to maintain the desired level of intoxication.”

A vile of GHB. It can also be found as a crystal powder.

In May last year, three people were found unconscious after they reportedly consumed a “toxic” batch of GHB.

A 17-year-old girl was found in central Geelong, a man was discovered on a footpath in Norlane, and another man was found in Corio.

All were taken to Geelong hospital and the men were admitted to intensive care.

Barwon Health’s emergency director Belinda Hibble said patients who had taken an excessive amount or “unusual batch” of GHB sometimes needed to be placed on a ventilator due to impaired breathing.

“Synthetic drugs such as GHB can be more unpredictable and stronger than other illicit drugs, and people may not understand the associated risks,” she said.

Drug crime remains a top priority for Geelong police with specialised detectives working to disrupt drug networks and arrest alleged offenders.

Earlier this week, a 40-year-old Belmont man was charged after police found a commercial quantity of GHB inside his home.

Investigation and response manager Inspector Nick Uebergang said: “There is no such thing as a safe illicit drug, particularly when manufactured by criminals with no regard for the people who take them.”

GHB IN OUR COURTS

Bryan Ian Gibson

Bryan Ian Gibson. Picture: Facebook.

A drug driver, who crashed a stolen car and fled the scene, was unresponsive after a suspected GHB overdose.

Bryan Ian Gibson, 32, pleaded guilty in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court in May this year to drug driving, failing to render assistance after an accident and possessing a firearm as a prohibited person.

Gibson was spotted driving a stolen car on Thompson Rd in November last year.

He veered off the road and crashed into another vehicle, before he fled the scene.

When police found him about a kilometre away, he had a bum bag containing 1.29g of a white crystal, believed to be ice.

Gibson then became unresponsive after a suspected GHB overdose.

He was rushed to hospital where ice and GHB were found in his blood.

When interviewed, Gibson said he didn’t have a reason to be drug driving, calling it a “stupid, absolute brain dead move”.

In March this year, a homemade gun fell out of Gibson’s pocket and went off while he was at a friend’s home in Belmont.

The bullet hit him in the leg.

Magistrate Franz Holzer deferred sentencing for the more serious charges to July 29 this year, however he convicted and fined Gibson $1300 for displaying incorrect plates and possessing cartridge ammunition.

Jackson Haberman

Jackson Haberman. Picture: Facebook

A serial thief was using GHB and ice daily when he went on a crime spree

Jackson Haberman, 25, pleaded guilty in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court in May this year to a string of charges including possessing butanediol, which turns into GHB once ingested in the body, and ice, four counts of obtaining property by deception and two counts of driving while disqualified.

The court was told Haberman was arrested in January this year for a spate of thefts from cars in Armstrong Creek.

After being processed, the Geelong West man was bailed and released to appear in court in March.

Moments after leaving the station at 3.45pm, Haberman was caught on CCTV trying to open the door of an Audi parked nearby before climbing into an unlocked Kia and stealing various items.

Shortly after, a witness found Haberman in his backyard.

Haberman fled over a fence, where he found a man unpacking groceries from his car.

He then climbed into the car and reversed “at speed”, damaging the witness’s house and slamming into a car on Shannon Ave.

Haberman’s lawyer said his client was using GHB and ice daily.

He also said his client had PTSD, an intellectual disability and was receiving NDIS support.

Haberman was sentenced to a year in prison, with a community corrections order to follow.

Abynei Lacey

Abynei Lacey. Picture: Facebook.

A stay-at-home mum, who was consuming GHB and ice daily, posed as a police officer in a bizarre home invasion.

Abynei Lacey, 26, pleaded guilty in the Geelong’s Country Court in May this year to one charge of home invasion and two charges of theft, along with two summary offences of impersonating police officers.

At the time of the offending, Lacey was consuming 50-100ml of GHB and 5-7g of ice daily.

In March last year, a family of four in Armstrong Creek woke to banging on their front door.

The court heard Lacey had a clipboard, was shouting “police” and that they had a warrant.

Lacey stayed with the victims while others ransacked the home, stealing phones, ID cards, car keys and cash.

The group fled after the family realised they were not police, stealing two of the family’s cars.

Lacey was later arrested at her home in Corio.

While in custody, her lawyer said she has been engaging with counselling services.

Lacey remains in custody and will be sentenced on July 12.

Tyler Gee

Tyler Gee. Picture: Facebook

A young mum was found slumped over the steering wheel in her car after taking GHB.

Tyler Gee, 23, pleaded guilty in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court in April this year to a string of charges including trafficking GHB, trafficking MDMA and driving related offences.

In December last year, Gee was found unconscious in her car with the headlights on in Norlane.

When she regained consciousness., she told police she had consumed GHB.

Inside her car, police found digital scales, a ziplock bag containing 500 deal bags, a bottle containing 140ml of GHB, five pages of notes of sales, names and prices, and $335 in cash.

Gee was then taken to the police station and made full admissions to possessing the drugs.

She was sentenced to a community corrections order without a conviction.

John Nash

A Corio man was caught with a recipe for GHB and drug manufacturing equipment, claiming he used the substance to help him sleep.

John Nash, 28, pleaded guilty at the Geelong Magistrates Court on Thursday to possessing equipment and instructions necessary for manufacturing illegal substances.

Nash argued that police did not find GHB at his property, only chemicals such as gamma, which he uses for sleep aid.

Nash was sentenced to a two year community corrections order with conditions that he completes drug rehabilitation treatment and pays a fine of $2000.

His license was also cancelled for four years.

The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.

Originally published as More Geelong residents using ‘dangerous’ drug GHB