The Whitewater Police Department recently made an arrest in which a person was charged with several drug-related charges to include the possession of GHB (Gamma Hydroxybutyrate). GHB is often referred to as the “date rape drug.”
GHB is most often produced in a liquid form and can be mixed with many things including water because it has no taste. It was originally prescribed for sleep disorders but was banned by the FDA in 1990 because of the dangers associated with its use. GHB was again approved in 2002 for treatment of a rare form of narcolepsy. Today, most of the GHB produced in the United States is done so illegally.
In a press release issued Nov. 14, the Whitewater Police Department stated it understands that GHB can be used illegally for other things, such as a dietary supplement, muscle building, and relief of some fibromyalgia symptoms, yet felt it was important to make the public aware this dangerous drug has been located in the community.
Some of the side effects to be mindful of include headaches, hallucinations, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, agitation, diarrhea, sexual arousal, numbing of legs, vision problems, tightness of chest, mental changes, combativeness, memory loss, serious breathing and heart problems, seizures, coma, and death.
Anyone who experiences any of these symptoms or notices a friend acting very unusually while in a social setting is reminded to immediately call for medical assistance and contact the local police department.
The Whitewater Police Department and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Police Services also want to urge people to be cautious when accepting drinks from others and leaving drinks unattended while at social settings.
