“Because What You Don’t Know Can Kill”
To All Walgreens, Rite-Aid, Eckerds, Savons & Other Stores
Project GHB---a nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading awareness of the dangerous and deadly drug gamma hydroxy butyrate—is hereby requesting that all stores carrying the nail polish remover ONCE REMOVED or any other product with the primary ingredient of butyrolactone or gamma butrylactone (aka GBL) immediately, voluntarily remove that product from their shelves and website sales. These products are nail polish removers, contact cement or super glue removers or paint strippers. In fact, Walgreens currently has removed it from their online store and we appreciate that response.
GBL is the precursor to the drug gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHB) and is also an active analog of it. When GBL is ingested into the human body, it converts rapidly to the drug GHB. GHB, GBL and the other analog of GHB (1,4 butanediol) are illegal for human consumption (ingestion) under federal law and similarly under virtually every state law (a few states still do not have adequate analog coverage in their laws). While not illegal for industrial/commercial use, the very, very limited potential use for commercial (over the counter to the public) sales is a growing problem (since recent law enforcement efforts have made its availability in the illicit drug market a little more difficult). We are asking for your assistance in countering this.
Though known primarily as a drug used to facilitate sexual
assault, GHB is actually a very addictive drug and widely abused, especially in
the gymnasiums and even senior citizen homes (touted as an anti-aging and
growth hormone enhancer). Nationwide,
hundreds of people (primarily males, with about 15-20 percent female) are
addicted to this drug and many of them are drinking ONCE REMOVED in order to
obtain it. Yes, drinking it straight up,
despite the nasty taste. Stores haven’t
seemed to notice that it is often male customers, buying everything on the shelf
or at least two or three bottles at a time and sometimes inquiring when the
next shipment will arrive. On the East
Coast, one young man was going around from store to store buying two to four
bottles per day. He was recently picked
up by police, trying to aid his family in confronting this crisis, and
hospitalized. He had at least four
bottles stashed away at that time. In
the
There are plenty of nail polish removers without this specific product or any other type of product containing this chemical being available over the counter to the public. Project GHB has no comment on whether or not the companies producing these products are aware of what is happening, but merely wishes to reduce accessibility in order to save lives. Some products are legitimate but have simply been diverted to illicit use. In some cases the products are made to appear to be legitimate products, but the makers are knowingly banking on sales for illicit uses. In any case, stores carrying even the legitimate products are sadly being used by GHB addicts as a source.
This drug has the hardest drug withdrawal of any drug (often causing suicidal behavior and potentially life endangering from the withdrawal itself). It has a tremendously strong pull on its victims, making rehab extremely difficult, especially when products like this call to them from store shelves. People addicted to GHB or who abuse it in any way pose a dramatic danger to others in terms of drunk/drugged driving. It is an issue of public concern. GHB addiction is devastating families across the country, though it is not widely known/recognized in the treatment/medical and law enforcement communities. We are working to change that.
A similar product--a super glue remover--was recalled and cancelled by its manufacturer voluntarily at the request of drug enforcement authorities several months ago. We are proud of that company for making an immediate change.
Project GHB, through our GHB Addiction Helpline, is aware of numerous addicts relying on ONCE REMOVED for a quick fix while waiting for their regular shipment of illicit product to arrive and in some cases using it as the sole/primary source of the drug. It is unknown at this time whether or not any rapes have been committed specifically with a commercial product such as this, but it is certainly a possibility.
Please take immediate action and help us save lives.
Sincerely,
Trinka Porrata
President, Project GHB
Retired Narcotics Detective (25 years)