Date rape drug to be banned

Date-rape drug GHB is to be banned amid growing evidence that it has been used in a series of sex attacks on women targeted in clubs and bars.

Home Office Minister Bob Ainsworth has told colleagues he will act on a recommendation of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to make GHB (Gamma hydroxybutrate) a Class C drug.

GHB, also known as Blue, Heaven or liquid ecstasy or GBH, has become known as one of the main date-rape drugs. It is colourless and tasteless and has been detected in forensic analysis in two cases.

At the moment, possession of the drug, marketed as a means of stimulating libido, is not a criminal offence although it is an offence to sell it because it is classified as a medicine. Class C status would mean anyone possessing the drug could face two years in prison, while suppliers would face a jail term of up to five years, compared with current maximum penalties of two years under the Medicines Act.

The change in the law is expected to come into force next summer, following a Home Office public consultation starting in the new year.

The move comes as Scotland Yard is trying to raise awareness of "drug rape", with hundreds of West End pubs and clubs showing posters and using beer mats displaying the message: "Who's watching your drink?"

The Metropolitan Police is anxious to make men and women aware of the dangers after more than 100 "drug rape" sex attacks were reported to police since they began recording them in November last year. Strategic intelligence officers say the true figure could be much higher. Specialists in the field believe only one in 10 rape victims report attacks to police.

GHB is available on the internet and by mail order for £5 a bottle. Last year, the Evening Standard revealed how the drug could be bought under the counter in Soho sex shops for £15 a bottle. The drug can render victims unconscious for up to six hours, and also leave them confused about what happened in the period during which they were under the influence.

But it is very difficult to prove a dose has been administered because traces disappear from urine within four hours - although pioneering work to detect drug traces in hair samples could boost the prospects of gathering evidence.

Every year the Forensic Science Service-receives samples from around 900 suspected date rape victims to test for drugs like GHB. But despite many victims claiming they cannot remember the events surrounding the rape, which would imply drugs had been used, only a minute proportion of samples are found to contain date rape drugs.

Mary Newton, of the Forensic Science Service, said: "Drugs like GHB put the victim in an unconscious state, giving the rapists time to cover their tracks."

A Home Office spokesman said ministers had decided to make GHB illegal because of health concerns. It can kill if taken with alcohol.

An official warning on the dangers of the drug from Westminster council was prompted by nine claims of attacks in the area, including seven alleged rapes.

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