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

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

Urging the UK government to take action, it claims: “These drugs are associated with more deaths than ecstasy”

  • Words: Isaac Muk | Photo: Asian Development Bank
  • 18 November 2022
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.”

Read this next: Petition calls for ban on "woo wooing" at house music gigs

“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.

Read this next: How to protect yourself from super-strength ecstasy

“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

Load the next article
Newsletter 2

Mixmag will use the information you provide to send you the Mixmag newsletter using Mailchimp as our marketing platform. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us. By clicking sign me up you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

Loading...
Loading...
Newsletter 2

Mixmag will use the information you provide to send you the Mixmag newsletter using Mailchimp as our marketing platform. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us. By clicking sign me up you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.