(Quebec) Christian Dubé intends to ensure that the GHB screening test, also called the date rape drug, is offered quickly in health establishments. The Minister of Health also mentions the wish to widen access to it, as in pharmacies.
On Wednesday, the National Assembly recognized that these poisonings are a “scourge” in a motion adopted unanimously, and presented by the Liberal Party of Quebec. “It was very important that we all get together on this,” said the Minister of Health on Thursday.
“There, you have to make sure that not only are the tests available, but that they are available quickly. We know that time is important, ”continued Mr. Dubé, who recalled that it is possible to undergo a screening test in all health establishments in the province. As for medico-legal interventions, there are 89 designated centers in Quebec.
La Presse reported on Thursday the case of women who had been intoxicated without their knowledge with GHB and who had not undergone screening tests. The motion presented by Liberal MP André A. Morin rightly pointed out that it is difficult to accurately assess the extent of the problem because of the “short period of time during which this drug can be detected”.
Christian Dubé said Thursday that he had no data on the number of women who may have been poisoned with GHB. The drug stays in the blood for only six hours and in the urine for 10 to 12 hours.
Dr. Martin Laliberté, emergency physician and toxicologist, told La Presse on Thursday that emergency doctors have reservations about doing GHB screening tests because of the drug’s short lifespan and the particularly complex analyzes to be carried out. Only two laboratories in Quebec have the specialists and equipment required to detect GHB.
Minister Dubé also explained that he would like to “expand the pool” of places where it is possible to undergo such a test, such as in pharmacies.
