Date-rape drug to be outlawed
Ministers have announced that from midnight tomorrow the date-rape drug GHB is to be made illegal.
According to the announcement, the drug – which is also known as ‘liquid ecstasy’ – will be classified as a Class C drug. This will mean that its possession could lead to a two year jail sentence, whilst dealing will have a maximum sentence of five years.
According to the Home Office spokesperson, Caroline Flint, the ACMD (Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs) had recognised that gammahydroxybutrate was “widely misused” and that just as severely it has “harmful effects”.
The minister continued to state that the drug: “has been used in numerous drug-assisted rapes and sexual assaults. By introducing jail terms for its possession and increasing them for supply we hope to help prevent the most despicable of crimes.”
“It’s very important that we get the message across to club goers that this is a dangerous drug. People can pass out after just a few drops in an alcoholic drink, and an overdose could result in a coma.”
Ms Flint also announced that seven other substances are to be banned starting this week. The list included two opiates which will be placed as a Class A substance.
