More people seek GHB help in Geelong

More people are seeking help for using GHB, an illegal drug which saw three people hospitalised in several hours last week in Geelong.

Barwon Health’s Dr Bruce Bartley says emergency department presentations due to GHB have increased. Picture: Mark Wilson

The number of GHB users seeking treatment at Geelong hospital’s emergency department has increased in recent years, as an investigation into three people found unconscious in the streets last week continues.

In the early hours of Wednesday last week, three people, including a teenage girl, were found unconscious across Geelong.

They were taken to Geelong hospital, with two men admitted to intensive care.

Barwon Health said the presentation and behaviours of the patients were not usual for GHB use; and the hospital suspected the drug may have been contaminated or mixed with other drugs.

The patients have been discharged.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said it appeared the incidents may relate to a combination of illicit drugs and alcohol, and the investigation was ongoing.

GHB – or gamma-hydroxybutyrate – works as a central nervous system depressant and is often referred to as liquid ecstasy, or a “date rape” drug.

Barwon Health emergency physician Bruce Bartley said it was “not uncommon” to see people seeking emergency treatment for the effects of GHB, with numbers steadily increasing over recent years.

A vial of GHB.

“These patients tend to come in waves when there is a batch or supply in the region,” Dr Bartley said.

“Synthetic drugs such as GHB can be stronger and more unpredictable than other forms of substance abuse, and patients often have little understanding of their associated risks.

“Patients who overdose on GHB can have difficulty breathing and can require a ventilator.

“This is more likely if patients use other drugs while taking GHB, including alcohol.

“Side effects of using GHB also include lack of inhibition that can lead to injury, while a high dose can cause symptoms including dizziness, vomiting, paranoia, hallucinations, blackouts, seizures, coma, and even death.”

Josie Taylor, team leader of adult and family alcohol and other drugs at Geelong support service Meli, said it had seen an increase in GHB use among clients over the past six to 12 months.

“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.

Dr Bartley said GHB was typically a party drug taken by young people and presented an overdose risk due to its liquid form.

“The slower onset of some newer forms of GHB in the community currently can often cause people to double or triple their dosage, significantly increasing the risk of life threatening overdose,” he said.

“It’s difficult for us to pinpoint why some have worse reactions to GHB, as people could require hospital treatment for several reasons, including not understanding the dosing, taking more than usual, taking a more potent form, or taking a dodgy batch.”

Last year Greater Geelong recorded 46 drug use and possession offences for GHB, according to Crime Statistics Agency data.

Inspector Peter Nichols.

Greater Geelong Local Area Commander Inspector Peter Nichols said while drug dealing and trafficking offences in the region were at decade low levels, police would continue to come down hard on those looking to profit from manufacturing and trafficking.

“There is no such thing as a safe illicit drug, particularly when manufactured by criminals with no regard for the people who take them,” Inspector Nichols said.

“Targeting drug crime remains a top priority for police, and we have specialised teams of detectives working around the clock to disrupt drug networks.”

Originally published as More people seek GHB help in Geelong