Alaska State Legislature

News From The House Majority

Ken Freeman, Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
phone: (907) 465-3804
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

House Targets Another 'Date Rape' Drug for Felony Status

For Immediate Release: May 2, 1997 Contact: Rep. Al Vezey (907) 465-3719

JUNEAU - Targeting drugs used in conjunction with sexual assault, the House of Representative Friday unanimously passed a measure which makes the use and possession of the "date rape" drug Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a controlled substance and possession a felony.

Representative Al Vezey (R-Fairbanks), sponsor of HB 163 which outlaws GHB, said the drug is known by street names that include Liquid E, Liquid X, GBH, Gib, liquid ecstasy, Scoop, Georgia Home Boy, Natural Sleep-500, and Oxy-sleep.

Rep. Vezey said it is one of the many date rape drugs being used in the United States. The Legislature recently passed HB 69, which classifies Flunitrazepam, also known as Rohypnol, as a controlled substance and makes possession of that drug a felony.

Vezey said the illegal use of GMB is also on the increase in the United States and past illegal drug use trends indicate that Alaska will soon be confronted with the increased use of GHB's, just as Rohypnol use was recently confirmed in Alaska. Currently, GHB is not scheduled as a controlled substance in Alaska or by the Federal government. The Drug Enforcement Agency is currently working to schedule GHB as a controlled substance under federal law.

GHB depresses the respiratory system and reduces the amount of oxygen the brain receives, resulting in unconsciousness.

"As is the case with Rohypnol, victims of drug induced rape through use of GHB can not identify their victims and conviction is difficult and rare. This bill further sends the message that we will not tolerate those in our society who would perpetrate drug induced sexual assault," said Vezey.

According to James Tolliver of the DEA's Seattle office, the major problem with GHB is this drug is exclusively made in home laboratories. The drug is odorless and nearly tasteless so it is virtuously undetectable in a drink.

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