Overdoses related to the deadly drug gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) have surged among Australians, with financial pressures possibly pushing young people towards this dangerous substance. Known for its low cost and accessibility, GHB is increasingly being used by younger Australians as an alternative to expensive alcohol.
GHB has garnered global attention due to its small margin of error between a recreational dose and a potentially fatal overdose. The drug’s effects, which include relaxation, sociability, euphoria, and increased sex drive, can be felt within 15 minutes. However, even a slight overdose can be deadly.
Rising GHB Use Among Young Australians
The number of GHB-related ambulance callouts has spiked across Australia, according to recent research from Monash University and Turning Point. Victoria, in particular, has seen a significant rise, with 65.8 ambulance attendances per 100,000 people in 2023. This marks a 67 percent increase from the previous year, following a 147 percent increase between 2012 and 2019.
Meanwhile, Tasmania experienced a dramatic 346 percent increase in GHB-related ambulance attendances between 2022 and 2023. Reformed ice dealer Braiden Tonks explained to Daily Mail Australia that GHB’s rise is due to its sought-after side effects. “It just slows your heart right down, puts you into a completely relaxed state where your heart will just slowly beat and just slowly just stop, that’s how you die from it,” he said.
The Financial Pressures Behind Substance Use
Experts suggest that financial pressures are contributing to the increased use of GHB among young people. Canberra emergency consultant Dr. David Caldicott told ABC News that the drug’s promise of “escape” from reality is more influential than its affordability. “I think young people are looking for an escape from what really does not appear to be a very attractive future for them,” he said.
Kristie Tse, founder of Uncover Mental Health Counselling, highlighted that financial pressures are creating a “need for relief.” She told NewsWire, “One of the biggest drivers is the desire to escape or cope with stress, which has been exacerbated by rising financial pressures and uncertainty about the future.”
Addressing the Root Causes
Maria Rosey, founder of One Touch Finance, emphasized that cost-of-living pressures can make substance use more acceptable. “As money stress becomes more common, so does the acceptance of substances as coping mechanisms,” she said. “The increase in GHB use during the money crisis shows us that substance use problems can’t be solved by focusing only on the substances themselves. We need to address the conditions that make people turn to substances in the first place.”
The rise in GHB use among young Australians highlights the urgent need to address the broader socio-economic factors driving substance abuse. As financial pressures mount, experts warn that more young people may turn to dangerous substances like GHB in search of relief. Addressing these underlying issues is crucial to preventing further tragedies and ensuring a healthier future for Australia’s youth.
