Part 4
While some in Chicago's gay party scene have said that the city's GHB problem isn't as bad as it was about two years back, others have noted that the damage has already been done, whether the trend is on its way out or not.
GHB ( Gamma Hydroxybutyrate ) is a central nervous system depressant taken orally for its euphoric high. It has become a popular club drug, sought after for its relative affordability and easy access. With G-related overdoses and incidents a fixture at some gay events and bars, however, those in the scene are calling for caution.
'G-ing out' or 'Crossing over'
Overdosing on G is commonly known as "G-ing out" or "crossing over." The difference between a safe dose and a dangerous one can be as small as one to two grams.
G-ing out usually happens quickly and isn't a subtle process, said Dr. Eric Christoff, an internist who is on the board of the Hearts Foundation.
People become incoherent, will sit down quickly, twitch, or look like they're having a seizure. They may experience flailing arms, walking funny, losing control of their bowels or vomiting.
"They're erratic," said David-James Figueroa, head of security at the Metro. "In one second their body's moving in all kinds of different directions. One minute they're relaxed, and in the next minute they're jumping around."
G is particularly dangerous because its most common side effects include vomiting and passing out, causing the potential for the user to choke. Christoff said someone who has G'd out should never be left alone and should be watched very closely. Ideally, their blood pressure and respiration should be monitored.
If they pass out, they should be propped up on their side to keep their airways open.
G slows down the body's processes, including the heart rate and respiration. While a person normally breathes about 12-18 times per minute, someone in a G nap will breathe about 4-6 times per minute, Christoff said.
Usually, G can be slept off in several hours. Observers noted that someone who has G'd out will typically wake up feeling very refreshed, as if they've had a full night's sleep or a restful nap.
"People feel good after having a bad time of it," Christoff said. Often, they'll wake up raring to go and ready to keep partying.
Staffers at the Hearts Foundation, however, don't let that happen. Those who OD get a talking-to and are sent home once they come to.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has documented about 60 GHB-related deaths in the last five years, a number some observers say is an undercount. One common cause of death is the mixture of GHB with alcohol, something that can instantly stop the body's functions.
Those who have died from GHB overdoses range in age from 13 to 77, and many said G knows no age because of its cost and availability.
Endangering the future of the scene
Some have cautioned that G is not only a threat to users' health but to the entire future of the party scene-- particularly for gay men.
Rumors have circulated for months that G and other drugs will likely be the downfall of one prominent Chicago club, and that one New York club has already been closed because of a number of overdoses in one night. According to the buzz, four or five people "G'd out" in one night and the club's staff hid the partygoers from paramedics and police to protect themselves.
John, a Chicago club-goer who asked that his real name not be used, said he was recently in a Halsted Street bar and was approached by seven different people asking for G. He later found out that 40 undercover police officers were at the club that night and made up to 50 arrests.
The Metro, on north Clark Street, hosts about six gay events a year, most of them catering to gay men, Figueroa said. While he said the crowds are mostly well-behaved, with no fights or violence, "you've just got to watch for other stuff," including club drug use.
Anyone caught trying to bring drugs into the Metro is turned away, though security staff have made it a policy not to confiscate.
"We don't involve ourselves in it," Figueroa said. An exception was made the night of Invasion, the Pride weekend party thrown by JumpStart Productions.
Raul Rodriguez, owner of JumpStart, instituted thorough door checks at the party. Anyone who didn't submit to the checks was turned away, and anything suspicious found was thrown away at the door.
Figueroa said that while "there was no garbage can filled to the top," his staff did confiscate a number of items.
He said he finds it baffling that gay men who take such good care of their bodies-- working out, not drinking alcohol and only having water-- are so willing to take chances with drugs like GHB.
"It's just dangerous-- it's like suicide," he said. "You don't know what you're doing, you don't know what you're getting. It's like taking a chance on your life."
He said he has heard rumors, too, about what G is doing to the gay club scene.
Rodriguez noted that promoters have to take out multi-million dollar insurance policies on their events because of the prevalence of overdoses and accidents.
"I don't want it ( the circuit party scene ) to end ... but it can for $20 an ounce," said Matthew Harvat, a.k.a. Circuit Mom.
Harvat, Rodriguez and others blame G for helping to turn the circuit party scene into something darker than what it was intended for.
"It's pretty sad when the DJ has to stop the music at a charitable event and say, 'They're going to shut us down unless you knock it off,'" Harvat said.
"People don't think it's as serious as it is," he said. "Look at Chicago right now. Our nightlife is waning."
For more information about GHB and other club drugs, visit: www.dancesafe.org
www.pillreports.com
www.erowid.org
www.partyplanet.com ( home of the Electric Dreams Foundation ) www.djbillbennett.com
www.clubdrugs.org
www.dea.gov
