The GBL, when ingested, is transformed by the body into GHB. This easy-to-access and inexpensive industrial solvent gives the consumer a feeling of floating and disinhibition. In liquid form, too little tastes however causing many unwanted effects that can lead to death. Health authorities, night workers and police services are warning of the increase in GBL consumption among young people.
10 comas in 3 months including 1 death
According to the police headquarters, since the beginning of the year, this drug of synthesis caused 10 comas in people aged between 19 and 25 years. Even more serious, on March 10, two young people fell into the coma after consuming GBL by drinking from a bottle that does not belong to them. One of the two died. “According to the projections of the AP-HP (Assistance publique-hospitals de Paris), if nothing is done we could have 100 cases by the end of the year … against only 10 for the whole of 2017 ”, detail Michel Delpuech, Prefect of Police of Paris, during an interview devoted to the Parisian.
In order to combat the rise of GBL, the Paris police prefect announced a three-pronged action plan. The first is to explore the legal track in order to find ways to prohibit or limit the importation of these products. The second is to build a “partnership action plan” with night professionals. And finally, to make the general public aware of the dangers of this drug. A little more radical measure, already 6 establishments housing drug trafficking have been closed since January. This is as much as for the whole of 2017. Michel Delpuech announced that three other procedures were also in progress.
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