Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 3

Written Answers. - Drugs Availability.

John Gormley

Question:

135 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the widespread availability of the rape drug GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate); if his Department will conduct a study on its use here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18598/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) was developed as an anaesthetic drug and used as a licensed drug in some member states of the European Union. In Ireland it is controlled under the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations, 1993. It is a Schedule 3 controlled drug, so a person may only be in possession of it when it is prescribed by a medical practitioner. It is colourless, odourless and sometimes tasteless.

There is little evidence of its misuse in any member state of the European Union, including Ireland. It is a depressant/hypnotic drug and its effects are similar to those produced by alcohol and cannabis. It has been abused by bodybuilders because of its anabolic properties. There is anecdotal evidence at a European level that GHB has the potential for being used for date rape, but there is no firm evidence to substantiate this.

Because there have been four deaths in the UK and two in Sweden from abuse of GHB between September 1995 and January 1999, Europol and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) are examining this drug and the scientific committee of the EMCDDA will carry out a risk assessment on it in the coming months to decide at a European level whether further controls are needed on its use. Dr Desmond Corringan, who is head of the school of pharmacy in Trinity College, is the chairman of the scientific committee which will carry out this risk assessment. This will include an investigation in each member state of the availability and use of the drug. Based on the outcome of the risk assessment, decisions will be made at a European level whether stricter controls should be placed on GHB.