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24/06/2009
'Party Drug' Victim's Mother To Meet Home Secretary
The mother of a student who died after taking the 'party drug' GBL is to meet today with Home Secretary Alan Johnson as part of her campaign to get the substance banned.
Twenty-one-year-old medical student Hester Stewart, from Brighton, died in April after going to a party where she is thought to have taken gamma-butryolactone (GBL), which is similar to the date rape drug GHB.
Police are investigating whether she unknowingly took the substance while out with friends.
Sussex Police said toxicology tests showed the student's death was due to GBL in conjunction with alcohol intake. An inquest is due to take place next month in Brighton.
Following her death, Hester’s mother called for an immediate inquiry into why the drug has not been banned in Britain.
The substance is already banned for personal use in several countries including the United States and Sweden. However, in the UK it is available at some health food shops and can also be purchased over the internet.
Mrs Stewart, a nutritionist from Brighton, said: "We called for this meeting because we want to know why GBL isn't classified as a drug at the moment.
"My daughter died as a result of consuming it combined with alcohol.
"It is a colourless liquid which turns into GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid) in the stomach. A small amount of GBL mixed with alcohol can be lethal.
"GBL could be classified within 90 minutes by the Statutory Instruments Committee. I hope banning GBL for personal use will be a swift process."
The Home Office also said: "The Government is committed to cracking down on legal highs in response to threats to public health.
"We are currently consulting on controlling a range of substances, including GBL and BZP, which can harm health."
(JM/BMcC)
Twenty-one-year-old medical student Hester Stewart, from Brighton, died in April after going to a party where she is thought to have taken gamma-butryolactone (GBL), which is similar to the date rape drug GHB.
Police are investigating whether she unknowingly took the substance while out with friends.
Sussex Police said toxicology tests showed the student's death was due to GBL in conjunction with alcohol intake. An inquest is due to take place next month in Brighton.
Following her death, Hester’s mother called for an immediate inquiry into why the drug has not been banned in Britain.
The substance is already banned for personal use in several countries including the United States and Sweden. However, in the UK it is available at some health food shops and can also be purchased over the internet.
Mrs Stewart, a nutritionist from Brighton, said: "We called for this meeting because we want to know why GBL isn't classified as a drug at the moment.
"My daughter died as a result of consuming it combined with alcohol.
"It is a colourless liquid which turns into GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid) in the stomach. A small amount of GBL mixed with alcohol can be lethal.
"GBL could be classified within 90 minutes by the Statutory Instruments Committee. I hope banning GBL for personal use will be a swift process."
The Home Office also said: "The Government is committed to cracking down on legal highs in response to threats to public health.
"We are currently consulting on controlling a range of substances, including GBL and BZP, which can harm health."
(JM/BMcC)
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29 April 2009
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The mother of a 21-year-old medical student who was found dead at a house after taking GBL has called for an inquiry into why the 'party drug' has not been banned. Hester Stewart from Brighton, East Sussex, died on Sunday morning after attending a party with friends, where it is thought she took the liquid substance GBL.
Inquiry Calls As Student Dies After Taking 'Party Drug'
The mother of a 21-year-old medical student who was found dead at a house after taking GBL has called for an inquiry into why the 'party drug' has not been banned. Hester Stewart from Brighton, East Sussex, died on Sunday morning after attending a party with friends, where it is thought she took the liquid substance GBL.
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