Toxicology tests have confirmed the presence of GHB – a “date rape” drug – in the blood of two women who were taken to hospitals after a night of drinking at fraternity parties in Boulder.
In one case, the level of GHB was high enough to have been fatal.
“This is a frightening situation, to think that someone is spiking the drinks of women with a dangerous drug at these parties,” said Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner in a news release.
A total of nine University of Colorado students, all 18- or 19-year-old women, were hospitalized after consuming alcohol at parties at Sigma Pi and Phi Kappa Tau fraternities early in the morning of Sept. 24th.
Police say that alcohol consumption combined with GHB can be fatal.
“We encourage everyone to be very cautious, especially when socializing with people you do not know very well,” said Beckner, who recommended never accepting a drink from an unsealed container; never leaving a drink unattended for any length of time; and never accepting a drink from someone you do not know well.
GHB, or gamma hydroxybutyrate, is a controlled substance, unauthorized use of which is a felony in Colorado.
Boulder police have asked anyone with information about the incident to call (303)441-3333.
