MUNCIE, Ind. – A 23-year-old Ball State University graduate student died early Friday morning. Officials suspect a drug overdose.

Ball State Police say they arrived at the home of Craig R. Burk, 1017 W. Ashland St., around 1:10 a.m. to find friends administering CPR to Burk. Delaware County EMS paramedics soon arrived and transported him to Ball Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 2 a.m.

Burk was from Bloomington and was a student in the Center for Information and Communication Sciences.

After interviewing about 12 friends of Burk, police say they learned Burk drank an unknown quantity of the drug known as GHB prior to leaving his house to go to a local bar.

James St. Myer, county coroner, said an autopsy is scheduled for today; however, laboratory results may not be available for several weeks.

Ball State Assistant Chief of Police Robert Fey said GHB may have been a factor in his death. GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) is a depressant taken in pill or liquid form. It is often associated with the club or rave party scene.

Fey said they have been hearing about the drug’s possible use around campus, but have not had cases involving its use.

In the hours following Burk’s death, two members of the university’s counseling and psychological services center, as well as Don Mikesell, dean of students, were on hand to assist Burk’s friends.

"Our thoughts and prayers are certainly with the family and his friends, for which he seemed to have many," said Mikesell. "The loss of a student is always a tragic and difficult thing to accept. And, it affects our community. Even if you don’t know the person, it certainly makes you reflect about life and how precious it is."

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Fey at (765) 285-1210 or Mikesell at (765)285-5343.)