Banned US drug makes debut in the clubs

A NEW drug, known as GBH (grievous bodily harm), has become the latest designer narcotic to reach Britain.

Last month, police made their first seizure of Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate, with a street value of pounds 30,000, and there are increasing reports of it becoming available in dance clubs and gyms.

The drug was banned in the United States in 1991 after it was blamed for causing comas and seizures. It is not illegal in this country, although the Home Office is considering adding it to the list of prohibited drugs. It is also known as Liquid X, and was manufactured in the US as an anaesthetic for operations, but went out of use because of unpredictable side-effects.

The drug, which sells here for between pounds 10 and pounds 15 a bottle, was introduced to the dance scene by body-builders, who used it as an antidote to the aggression that is a common side-effect to muscle- building steroids.

It was outlawed because of its psychedelic effects, which include hallucinations and immunity to pain. It also makes users feel drowsy, which has led some to mix it with amphetamines to prolong the 'high'.

GBH has been linked to 30 cases of illness in three American states, ranging from nausea to severe respiratory problems, seizures and comas.

There is growing evidence that it is being manufactured in this country. On 26 April Last month police raided a house in the village of Lovedean, Hampshire, and seized enough chemicals to produce 2,000 bottles of GBH, with a street value of pounds 30,000. The clear liquid is sold for pounds 10 to pounds 15 for a small plastic bottle. The bottles recommended a dosage of two to three capfuls and advised against taking alcohol.

Police said dangerous side effects of the chemical include vomiting, vertigo, tremors and loss of consciousness. The sedative effect of the drug can cause the heart to stop. A spokesman said: 'The substance is widely associated with the rave and club scene, but some young people many not realise the dangers of excessive use.'

There has also been an unconfirmed report of a seizure of GBH in the west Midlands.

The police have had to use the Medicines Act which outlaws unlicensed chemical substances to carry out the raids. A Home Office drug specialist said: 'It's beginning to surface among people involved in the body-building and dance scene. It's sometimes used in gyms along with steroids.'