NCJ Number
197133
Date Published
August 2002
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This bulletin presents a brief overview of the abuse, distribution, testing, and regulation and control of GHB analogs.
Abstract
GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) analogs include GBL, BD, GHV, and GVL and are drugs that possess chemical structures closely resembling GHB. GHB analogs are often abused in place of GHB or used to produce GHB. These analogs are available legally as chemical/industrial solvents. The use of these analogs, through human consumption, can produce physiological effects similar to those of GHB abuse such as relaxation, euphoria, and drowsiness. Users can become easily agitated and extremely combative. Due to increased criminal penalties associated with GHB prohibiting the sale of analogs for human consumption, the analogs are being sold illicitly. It is difficult for law enforcement to identify the abuse of GHB analogs. Analogs require specific field and laboratory testing, thereby creating the inability of routine toxicological screens to detect GHB or GHB analogs. In 2000, under the Hillory J. Farias and Samantha Reid Date-Rape Prohibition Act of 1999, GHB was legislated as a Schedule I controlled substance, authorizing GHB analogs to be prosecuted as Schedule I substances. The analogs are treated as controlled substances only if intended for human consumption. However, with GHB analogs having legitimate purposes and being legally available, law enforcement is confronted with a unique challenge in deterring the distribution and abuse of GHB analogs.