WEST HOLLYWOOD—The City of West Hollywood will be presenting the program “Tina and Gina: Killing Us Softly” on Wednesday, May 7. The program aims to educate the West Hollywood community on the harmful effects of sex and drugs, GHB and Crystal Meth in particular because both drugs have been known to have life-threatening consequences when used separately and together.

According to a press release from the City of West Hollywood, both GHB and Crystal Meth have been known to have a significant impact on the community, ‘particularly in regard to gay men who live, visit, and play in West Hollywood.’

Drugfree.org defines Crystal Meth as “a very pure, smokeable form of methamphetamine. It is a powerful and extremely addictive man-made stimulant. Its use can lead to severe physiological and psychological dependence.” Short term effects of crystal meth, outside of the euphoric effects, can cause very violent and erratic behavior. Chronic use of the drug can cause psychological and physical disfigurements, such as weight loss, loss of teeth, sores on skin etc. Long terms include brain damage, stroke, coma and death.

The other drug to be covered is GHB, explained by drugfree.org as a “predominantly, a central nervous system depressant,” GHB, which is nicknamed “Grevious Bodily Harm” and “Liquid Ectasy.” When used in lower doses, the drug can reduce anxiety and promote calm. Despite the foreboding names, when used in high doses and in combination with other drugs it can cause “nausea, loss of muscle control and difficulty breathing. GHB may also produce withdrawal effects, including insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and sweating.” Long term effects of the drug include sleep and eventual coma or death due to it’s sedative qualities.

The panel will be held at the West Hollywood Park Auditorium on 647 N. San Vicente Blvd. in West Hollywood, CA. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. and is expected to end at 9:00 p.m. It will be moderated by West Hollywood Councilmember John Duran. A few of the people to be featured on the panel include writer/journalist Paulo Murillo, Trinka Porrenta of Project GHB, and Kathy Watt of Van Ness Recovery House and more.