This is another one in the series of Illegal drugs and teens I have been writing about...I have linked them below so if you are interested in learning more why not have a look...

Today I want to write about GHB (Gamma hydroxybutyrate)..It is a depressant and slows down the activity of the brain and also the central nervous system...Other depressant drugs include Alcohol...benzodiazepines...and Heroin...GHB is naturally in brains and it was used once as an anesthetic but in most countries was stopped due to the unwanted side effects side effects...

Strret names for this drug include G,Fantasy, grievous bodily harm (GBH), liquid ecstasy, liquid E, liquid X, salty water, Georgia Home Boy, soap, scoop, organic Quaalude, cherry meth, and Blue nitro...

GHB is colourless with no smell...It has a salty or bitter taste it and is sold in small vials or bottles...It can also come as a blue coloured liquid which is where the street name blue Nitro comes from and not as often it comes in a crystal powder form...

GHB is usually swallowed but some people have been know to inject this drug or even insert it into the anus (known as shelving)...This drug has been used in sexual assaults to actually drug the victim as it can cause drowsines and also memory loss...In its liquid form it is easily slipped into someones drink...Some people take GHB for the feeling of relaxation and to help them ti fit in socially...and to help disinhibate themselves other use this drug to assist in the comedowns from another drug...Such as stimulants like ecstasy...

As with all the drugs I ahve writtena bout in the past this one too comes with it's own set of effects...One of the greatest risks with this drug is a small increase in the amount taken can cause an overdose..On little tiny increase can cause a massive difference in the effect on somebody...The manufacturing of this drug can not be always guaranteed safe just a tiny bit out can make a deadly dose for any user...Improperly made GHB may result in an extremely toxic mixture of GHB and the chemical sodium hydroxide...

Generally it takes around 15 minutes to feel the effects of the use of GHB and the effects last around three hours... Some effects from a low to middle of the range dose can include all or some of these effects...

• eurphoric feelings
• memory lapse /dizziness ond/or headache
  
• lowered inhibitions
• Increased libido
• drowsiness/or sleep
• slowing down of heart rate and blood pressure and body tempurature lowered
• diarrhoea/ and urinary incontinence
• Nausea

As said before there is a high risk of overdose on GHB because of the small difference between the anount needed for a high and the amount needed to overdose...Not knowing the strengths of GHB increases the risks of overdose drastically... A high dose of GHB can cause the below effects...

• dizziness
• vomiting
• tremors
• loss of coordination (ataxia)/ seizures
• confusion, irritation and agitation/ tunnel vision
• hallucinations
• blackouts and memory lapses
• coma
• respiratory arrest (stop breathing) and death

There are a few signs of an overdose..These are the user seems to be asleep and can not be woken, they could be incoherent sweating badly, with vomitting and shallow irregular breathing pattern, The person may also be unable to stand or have involitary muscle movements...

Probably one of the scariest things about this drug is right now there is not alot of research on the use of this drug and the long term effects it can have on users...

This is just a fairly short summary of this drug if you are interested in learning more please have a look at the links below...I will say it again and again and again to finish of my article COMMUNICATION in the key with our kids and as another Minti mum says on a regular basis (thanks Helen) KNOWLEDGE IS POWER...

So give your kids Knowledge on drugs from you then you know it is the right knowledge and give them the power hopefully to say no...Thanks for taking the time to read this..

Have a great day
Cheers
Angie