Urgent warning after six people in one morning go to Flinders Medical Centre after overdosing on fantasy
Six people have been discharged from hospital after all overdosing on the dangerous drug fantasy.
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All six people who overdosed on party drug fantasy – sparking an urgent warning from authorities – have been discharged from hospital.
An SA Health spokeswoman confirmed the patients were released from Flinders Medical Centre on Thursday and Friday.
Toxicology reports confirmed the three males and three females, who presented at the hospital between 9am on Wednesday and 8am on Thursday, had consumed GHB.
Two of the six patients received treatment in the intensive care unit. All six people were from the southern suburbs but it was unknown if they knew each other or arrived individually.
Yesterday:
Six people who presented at Flinders Medical Centre in less that 12 hours who all overdosed on fantasy has sparked an urgent warning from authorities about the dangers of illicit drugs.
Toxicology reports confirm all six patients admitted to the FMC emergency department on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning had consumed the party drug GHB, also known as fantasy.
Southern Adelaide Local Health Network’s clinical director Dr Andrew Blyth said three males and three females presented at the hospital from 9pm Wednesday until 8am Thursday with serious effects of the party drug.
Two of the six patients are in a serious but stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit, two are in a stable condition, and two have been released from hospital.
All patients arrived in a serious state requiring a team of staff in their ED to ensure their safety, Dr Blyth said.
He said it was unusual to see so many isolated cases of drug overdose.
“Six is very unusual, we do see presentations … so one or two a day might not be super unusual but six patients in one night is unusual.”
He said there is no way to know if all the patients were at the same gathering or were known to each other as they arrived individually to hospital. They were all from the southern suburbs.
Dr Blyth said he was concerned the presentations meant a rise in the use of fantasy.
“We are concerned there may be more of this GHB in the community and urgently warn anyone who has taken any liquid drug to present to their closest emergency department straight away, even if they feel well and have no symptoms.
“There is a concern we are seeing an increasing amount of GHB in terms of presentations … it does seem to be a drug that is on the rise.”
GHB is a colourless, odourless liquid of variable concentration, usually sold in small bottles in vials. It is usually swallowed, with the common illicit dose being 1 or 2 mL.
Dr Blyth said overdoses were common with GHB because of its potency.
“We know an overdose of GHB can result in cardio-respiratory arrest and toxicity depending on dose, the person’s weight, tolerance, individual susceptibility, and other substances taken.
“Due to the high level of presentations we have seen today, we urgently warn any person considering taking this drug of the current increased risk within the community.”
SA Health have contacted SA Police about the presentations.
Senior police recently revealed the use of fantasy has spiked, with numerous overdoses and increased seizures over the past six months.
Detective Inspector Darren Fielke said an increase in the popularity of fantasy could indicate users were unable to source their preferred, more expensive drugs.
The liquid drug can be purchased from dealers for less than $20 per dose.
Symptoms of an overdose include:
• unconsciousness that can last for 3 to 4 hours
• confusion, irritation and agitation
• irregular or shallow breathing
• blackouts and memory loss
• hallucinations
• vomiting