Death of East Lyme man linked to party drug
(East Lyme-AP)_ A party drug known as Liquid X on the street and known as gamma hydroxybutyrate in the lab is being blamed for the death of a 20-year-old East Lyme man last month.

Its is the first death in the state attributed to the drug which gives users a quick high but can lead to coma and death.

The state medical examiner's office has concluded that Andrew W. Hayes, 20, died April 4 of the effects of combining the drug, GHB, with alcohol after at a night of drinking with friends in Niantic.

Also known as one of the "date rape" drugs, GHB can be slipped into a drink without the drinker's knowledge. As little as 2 tablespoons can quickly put a user into a deep sleep for several hours.

When combined with alcohol, though, it can cause seizures and lead to coma and death.

"It's bad stuff," said Dr. Wayne Carver, the state's chief medical examiner. "There is tremendous abuse potential because it works so quickly."

Despite its potential dangers, GHB is not a controlled substance and is not illegal to possess in Connecticut, according to state police Det. Orlando C. Mo of the Statewide Narcotics Task Force.

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