Although overdoses with a similar drug, Rohypnol or "Roofies," are more common, GHB is fast becoming the designer drug of choice among college students, according to health officials.
In the past three years, students have either died or become comatose after taking GHB at institutions in Massachusetts, Texas, Louisiana and Georgia. This past spring, two Princeton University students overdosed on the drug.
In the last five months, Louisiana, Colorado and Minnesota have enacted laws toughening penalties for the possession, manufacture or sale of the drug.
Although possession of the drug does not violate federal law, its sale and manufacture are banned by the Food and Drug Administration.
--Nathaniel L. Schwartz contributed to the reporting of this story.