Pubdate: Sat, 28 Mar 1998 Source: Philadelphia Inquirer (PA) Contact: http://www.phillynews.com/inquirer/ Author: Richard V. Sabatini, Lacy McCrary and Todd Bishop OFFICIALS ASSESS DRUG'S PRESENCE Two boys fell into comas because of the ``date-rape drug,'' made using a recipe from the Internet. Neshaminy school officials and Middletown Township police yesterday were trying to determine how widespread the production and use of a so-called "date-rape drug" was among students, following the near-fatal ingestion of the chemical concoction by two local teenagers. Five teens, all boys, made the drug gamma hydroxybutyrate -- also known as GHB and Liquid Ectasy -- in one of their homes Tuesday night. They learned how to make GHB on the Internet, police said. At least four of the boys, who ranged in age from 16 to 19, sampled the mixture. Three of them later were found unconscious, and two ended up in comas at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "It's unfortunate that this type of information is out there and that the chemicals needed to make this drug, along with instructions, can be found on the Internet," said Middletown Detective Dan Baranoski. Scott Mitchell, spokesman for the Neshaminy School District where three of the boys are enrolled, said that "given the fact these chemicals are not controlled substances in Pennsylvania and things like this seem to be becoming more popular concoctions, we're looking at a new responsibility as a school system of making students, parents and families aware of the dangers." Mitchell said administrators and counselors were talking to students to see how much effect the overdoses had on them and were trying to find out how commonly used such chemicals are. Police said the experiment took place at the home of one of youths, a 17-year-old who lives at the Commons at Middletown. At least four of the five ingested the mixture in an effort to get high, police said. Two of the boys, ages 16 and 17, were found unconscious when one of their mothers arrived home at her Middletown Trace apartment shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday. Unable to revive them, the woman called for help, and the two boys were taken to St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne and then transferred to Children's Hospital, each in a coma. Two hours later, police were called to a wooded area on Virginia Avenue in Langhorne where a 17-year-old boy led them to an unconscious 19-year-old. These two also were taken to St. Mary, where they were treated and released. The 19-year-old was identified by police yesterday as Jason Hoverson of the Middletown Trace Apartments. The names of the four juveniles were withheld by police. It was unclear yesterday if the fifth boy present, a 16-year-old, had consumed any of the GHB, police said. The boys admitted to Children's Hospital were released Wednesday. GHB is one of several substances recently known as "date-rape drugs" because they work as sedatives and are colorless and tasteless enough to be slipped into a drink without detection. At least one death was attributed to GHB, but later evidence showed that the victim, a 17-year-old high school student in Texas, also had a congenital heart problem that may have played a role. Detective Baranoski said yesterday that he had yet to complete interviews of the boys and that it was "too soon to say" whether charges would be brought. Though the two chemicals used to make the drug are not illegal, Baranoski said, the manufacture and sale of GHB is illegal under the federal Food and Drug Act. No law exists in Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware specifically barring people from possessing and consuming GHB, however. The incident took place during a week set aside for students at Neshaminy and other Bucks County schools to remember victims of substance abuse, said Neshaminy principal, Bruce Wyatt. As part of the commemoration yesterday, students and teachers observed a minute of silence. "You would have thought it was a church, it was so quiet," Wyatt said. "Sadly, the two things just kind of meshed together. The point was driven home even harder." Also yesterday, the district's Student Assistance Program went to work trying to help the boys involved and their families. Mitchell said the assistance program was made up of administrators, staff, counselors, social workers and psychologists and that each district in the state is required to have such a program. School spokesman Mitchell said the district most likely would refer those involved to other agencies for treatment and counseling. He said the district also was trying to find ways to make students more aware of the dangers of drugs and chemicals even when they are legal. "The kids have access to [ computers ] at home, at school, at after-school jobs, and there's a certain responsibility that goes with that," Mitchell said. Neshaminy has had antidrug programs since the late 1980s and, in 1990, received an award from President George Bush, Mitchell said. Students leaving school yesterday afternoon said they believed the incident was isolated and did not represent a larger trend. "It's really a tragedy," said Katy Jones, 16, a junior. "But I don't think it's something a lot of kids are looking to do." Matt Wurst, 17, also a junior, said he thought those involved "were stupid for doing it." And the Internet, he said, "is becoming more of a harm than a help." Wyatt said he did not believe the students accessed the information or ordered the ingredients using Neshaminy computers, but such a possibility is a concern. "We have an obligation as parents and as school people not to permit total access to every bit of information out there," the principal said.