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

Legislature Targets 'Date Rape' Drug for Felony Status

Vezey Asks for Governor's Immediate Signature to take GHB off the Streets

For Immediate Release: May 10, 1997 Contact: Rep. Al Vezey (907) 465-3719

JUNEAU - Targeting drugs used in conjunction with sexual assault, the Alaska State Senate Saturday 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.

"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 Representative Al Vezey, sponsor of HB 163.

Representative Vezey said GHB is one of the many date rape drugs being used in the United States.

Vezey said the illegal use of GHB 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.

According to James Tolliver of the DEA's Seattle office, a 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.

Vezey said he hopes Governor Knowles will quickly sign this bill into law to discourage the use of GHB in Alaska.

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