By Trinka Porrata
The GHB Addiction Helpline has been operating via www.projectGHB.org since December 23, 2000, and has helped hundreds of people addicted to GHB. Unfortunately, being a totally volunteer operation involving two people and five doctors, we have not been able to provide the follow up that should be done on each inquiry. Thus we sometimes provide the information and don't hear back from everyone about whether they did or did not get help. Even those who do get help could use words of encouragement along the way to prevent relapse. This is one tough drug detox and has long-term depression and even suicide issues. Additionally, we haven't been able to go back through cases and get statistical information (age, time using GHB, adverse reactions, etc.) that would be meaningful in terms of documentation and evaluation for medical/scientific interests. This is an important aspect in terms of bringing proper attention to GHB abuse. We have learned an incredible amount from the addiction cases; things that will help us with all aspects of GHB's effects.
In order to accomplish this follow up and documentation, we need your help. We have arranged for UCLA students, who already have experience with GHB, having worked with Dr. Karen Miotto, to start going through the cases with us. We need funds to pay them something for their work, and we need a minimum of two but preferably three or four cell phones (for the two students plus me and my assistant, Kim) plus the monthly cost of the phone service. While we do as much as possible over the internet, phone calls to the people inquiring, and especially to hospitals, doctors and family members are absolute necessities. The Samantha Reid Foundation donated a computer for us a few months ago and has helped with office supply needs related to the helpline. That has been very helpful, but we need to expand to the next phase. The recent publicity of GHB addiction issues has increased our workload of incoming requests for help and we expect it to continue to climb for some time as awareness grows. My monthly phone bill has been "unsightly." We need to be able to do more.
During the holidays, a young man in Alabama nearly died form an overdose of GHB and other drugs. His underlying addiction also increased his risk of dying, but he survived, with the help of Dr. Miotto working with the ER doctor treating him. He in now in an inpatient center that we recommended in Georgia. He had told me that he knew at least ten more who were addicted. Since his hospitalization, some of his friends have poured out their bottles of GHB products and some are in treatment now. This is rewarding, but does give a clue as to how big the need may really be.
If you are interested in helping, please make donations via the Samantha Reid Foundation (a nonprofit organization--501c status) and designate that you wish to support the GHB addiction helpline. Make checks payable to:
Samantha Reid
Foundation
GHB Addiction Helpline
P.O. Box 119
Rockwood. Mi. 48173
Donations of any size would be helpful.
+++ Please send this page
by email, mail, fax, to any friends or associates
that you may feel would be interested in assisting+++