‘Beware of liquid ecstasy’

Party-goers should be wary of accepting drinks offered by  strangers or new acquaintances.

The drink could be a  narcotic cocktail of liquid ecstacy that causes them to black out.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) issued the warning following the confiscation of gamma hydroxybutyric acid or GHB in Metro Manila last Wednesday night.

Also called a liquid ecstasy, the drug is mixed in drinks. Once taken, the victim can lose consciousness and  be vulnerable to sexual abuse, said police.

An overdose could ead to death, said Jeffrey Bangsa, regional director of PDEA-7.

“If it happened in Manila, then we could not discount its presence  here in Cebu City or neighboring towns,” said Bangsa.

Bangsa said it was the  first time this kind of drug was seized in the country.

Citing data from the  National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the drug is sold at P10,000 per 100 ml to young professionals and party-goers belonging to the elite class.

Bangsa said he would meet with law enforcement agencies to discuss  monitoring the risk of this drug being present in Cebu City’s party scene.

For now, they will just monitor operations

“Party goers or youths who are trying to experiment or those who simply are going out for entertainment  should be cautious,” said Bangsa.

Read more...