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Not a pleasant thread, sorry.
London Police have been looking into 55 specific GHB related deaths in the last few years, because they were accused of being chemsex-ignorant after a chemsex serial killer case was (allegedly) poorly handled.
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London Police have been looking into 55 specific GHB related deaths in the last few years, because they were accused of being chemsex-ignorant after a chemsex serial killer case was (allegedly) poorly handled.
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Community outcry about the invisibility of chemsex-related deaths was loud, and below are some findings from an investigation.
- The deceased identified as gay in 83% of cases. 1 identified as heterosexual, one bi-sexual, others unknown.
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- The deceased identified as gay in 83% of cases. 1 identified as heterosexual, one bi-sexual, others unknown.
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- 42% of the men were born outside of the United Kingdom or did not identify as being British.
- The predominant venue in which deaths recorded were private residences. The second highest rate of incidence was in saunas/bathhouses and hotels.
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- The predominant venue in which deaths recorded were private residences. The second highest rate of incidence was in saunas/bathhouses and hotels.
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- Lambeth accounted for 16 (29%) of the 55 GHB related deaths (this is a popular gay residential area, plus some gay nightime venues). Westminster had eight deaths (15%) during this time period (this is where Soho is & many gay social bars & restaurants).
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- In 37 cases (67%) it was established that the deceased had previously come to notice of police or medical professionals for using, or to attempting overdose on, GHB.
- In all 55 cases other drugs were found during toxicology screening.
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- In all 55 cases other drugs were found during toxicology screening.
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- The drug most commonly associated with emergency admission to St Thomas’s Hospital in Lambeth in 2010 was GHB/GBL, resulting in 270 presentations.
- Between 2007 & 2012 there were 96 ambulance call outs relating to accidental or unknown drug overdose in the Vauxhall area
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- Between 2007 & 2012 there were 96 ambulance call outs relating to accidental or unknown drug overdose in the Vauxhall area
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Sauna Related Deaths & Venues
- they identified four deaths occurring at ‘Sauna A’ that involved Chemsex drugs during the prescribed date parameters.
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- they identified four deaths occurring at ‘Sauna A’ that involved Chemsex drugs during the prescribed date parameters.
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Broader research revealed that a further three men were discovered in a state of collapse inside the venue and later died in hospital.
- a further five men were identified as having collapsed at the venue but subsequently made full recoveries due to medical intervention.
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- a further five men were identified as having collapsed at the venue but subsequently made full recoveries due to medical intervention.
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- they identified one death occurring at ‘Sauna B’, which occurred in June 2012.
- they identified one Chemsex-related death occurring at ‘Sauna C’ in July 2012.
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- they identified one Chemsex-related death occurring at ‘Sauna C’ in July 2012.
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Let's remember all the suffering & deaths happening within our communities, especially given that chemsex harm is so silent and under the radar. Most people enjoy the party, but the suffering is happening alone on the comedowns afterward.
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If you are one of those struggling, please feel confident & entitled to seek help, because there are kind & expert people who 'get it' & want to help. See a health advisor in your local sexual health clinic, contact your local gay charity or the HIV charity in your city.
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You don't have to wait for it to get desperate; most support services teach harm reduction strategies & skills to reduce the likelihood of these things from happening in the first place.
No shame.
Compassion for all those within our communities.
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No shame.
Compassion for all those within our communities.
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PLUS; Some GHB/GBL harm reduction information from @lgbtfriend https://londonfriend.org.uk/ghb-gbl/
