New petition calls for GHB and GBL to be made ‘Class A’ substances

A new petition has been launched urging the UK government to reclassify GHB and GBL as ‘Class A’ substances.

The reclassification would mean that anyone caught with or distributing the drugs would be liable to the same penalties as with cocaine, heroin, MDMA, crystal meth, LSD and crack cocaine.

The petition claims: “These drugs are associated with more deaths than ecstasy, GHB & GBL have been used in horrific crimes such as sexual assessment, rape and burglary, and these drugs are addictive.”

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“Many young people take these drugs as they are easier to obtain than higher class drugs,” it continued. “This has led to too many deaths and hospitalisations, and long-term harm to users.”

Children’s health institute Nemours stated about the drug: “GHB is popular with club-goers and those who go to ‘rave’ parties, including teens and young adults. Because of its serious effects, GHB has led to emergency medical care for many young people and has killed for more users than the drug Ecstasy.”

In 2020, a report by the UK's Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) stated: “The effects of GHB are similar to alcohol in that they can both cause euphoric effects in small doses and sedative effects in larger doses.

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“There is a narrow margin between a dose that results in desired effects, and a dose that results in adverse effects,” it continued.

Often considered a club drug, GHB is known collectively alongside GBL and 1.4-BD as GHBRS. The drugs have similar psychoactive effects, and in April this year, their status was changed from ‘Class C’ to ‘Class B’.

At the time of writing, the petition had nearly 1,200 signatures. If a UK Government and Parliament petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the government are obliged to respond to the petition. At 100,000 signatures, a petition will be considered for debate within Parliament.

See the petition here

Isaac Muk is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow him on Twitter