GHB, identified by mass spectrometry as leading drug of abuse during rave-parties

Results : Calibration curves presented r 2 > 0.998 and deviations < 10%. The most frequently isolated DOA was GHB (8/14), followed by alcohol (7/14), amphetamines, cocaine and benzoylecgonine (5/14). One sample was found positive simultaneously for opiates (morphine, codeine and 6-MAM), methadone/EDDP, GHB, cocaine/benzoylecgonine and cannabinoids. Plasma concentrations ranged from 247-381µg/mL for GHB, 1.16-3.56g/L for alcohol, 16-87ng/mL for amphetamine, 173ng/mL for ecstasy, 7.9-80.1ng/mL for 11-nor-�9- carboxyTHC, 1.4-3.8ng/mL for THC. Conclusion : It was the first time our laboratory detected such a large number of positive cases of GHB. This could be explained both by the size of the rave-party and by the rapid medical assistance and blood drawings. Indeed, GHB is rapidly eliminated from the body with a t1/2 ranging from 0.3-1h, and is rarely detected at such high concentrations. GHB should always be taken into account as long as rave-parties are concerned.