A new, faster, easier urine test has been developed for detection of GHB. The test is also more precise. As it stands right now, to detect GHB in the urine in higher than naturally occurring levels, rape victims have to get to a hospital within 12 hours, as GHB does not stay in the system longer.

Current testing for GHB is a painstaking effort. It requires several milliliters of urine and a whole day's work for a lab tech. The new test takes about three hours and only needs a few drops of urine.

University of Florida toxicologist Bruce Goldberger evaluated the test, which was developed by United Chemical Technologies Inc. in Bristol, Pa. His findings are published in the September issue of the Journal of Analytical Toxicology. Goldberger says that GHB testing will now become more routine and more available to law enforcement officials, health care workers and rape centers. He expects this new test to become the standard, and foresees that more laboratories will soon offer GHB testing.

The next step will be to develop a field test for GHB that can be used by law enforcement officials to identify pure drugs or by emergency room professionals to quickly diagnose GHB overdoses. Goldberger and the lab's other scientists are working on the test.

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