Deaths from the use of “party drug” GHB in Australia have increased by almost 50 percent every year for almost 10 years.
New research from National Drug and Alcohol Centre (NDARC) found Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB)-related deaths were rising sharply with the drug’s use extending beyond the clubbing scene to a broader population.
Study lead author Professor Shane Darke said the rate of death related to GHB use increased by an average of 44 percent each year from 2016 onwards.
Professor Darke said the steep rise was consistent with increases in GHB-related ambulance callouts and emergency department attendances in some Australian jurisdictions.
“In recent years GHB use appears to have extended to a population more likely to have substance use problems and use other respiratory depressants,” he said.
Professor Darke said by using a national coronial database, the researchers identified 217 GHB-related deaths between 2001 and 2021 to determine populations rates and whether there had been any changes in case characteristics over time.
He said two distinct periods emerged: a “stable period” from 2001-2015, and an “accelerated period” during 2016-2021.
“On average, there were 3.4 deaths per year recorded during the ‘stable period’, compared to 22.8 deaths per year during the ‘accelerated period’.”
Professor Darke said while the circumstances of deaths remained constant (accidental overdose), there was a notable shift in other case characteristics.
He said, for instance, the later cases were slightly older on average (34.2 years versus 30.7 years) and had lower rates of employment.
“Earlier in the century, GHB was often characterised as a ‘party drug’ closely associated with clubbing, and typically occurred amongst a less drug-involved demographic,” Professor Darke said.
“The characteristics of more recent cases suggest that use has extended beyond this profile.”
He said cases in the “accelerated period” were also four times more likely to have had substance use problems yet only a few were in drug treatment at time of death.
“Many of these people may have survived if they had been enrolled in treatment,” he said.
“Those treating people for dependence on drugs such as opioids need to be aware that GHB use appears to be increasing amongst this population, with a consequent increase in risk.”
