NCJ Number
191470
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 46 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2001 Pages: 919-923
Editor(s)
Michael A. Peat Ph.D.
Date Published
July 2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article reviewed the clinical symptoms, circumstances, driving behavior, and indicia of impairment in cases where individuals had taken gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and were arrested for impaired driving.
Abstract
In the 1960's, gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) was first used clinically in Europe as an anesthetic. The primary effects of GHB are those of a CNS depressant. The clinical and adverse effects range from relaxation and euphoria, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, agitation, loss of peripheral vision, short-term amnesia and somnolence, to uncontrollable shaking or seizures, combativeness, respiratory depression, hallucinations, and unarousable unconsciousness. These symptoms can complicate the safe operation of a motor vehicle. GHB was identified in the blood of 13 subjects arrested for impaired driving. The concentration ranged from 26 to 155 mg/L. Instances of drivers impaired by GHB have been reported in the past and the symptoms, adverse reactions, and behavior of the subjects were consistent with observations in this study. The results of this study indicated that the popular recreational drug and bodybuilding aid was clearly capable of causing impairment in driving skills and should be considered and tested for when drivers exhibit symptoms of CNS depression not accounted for by alcohol or other drugs. References