Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 3

Written Answers. - Drug Use.

John Gormley

Question:

213 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the widespread availability of the rape drug GHB - Gamma Hydroxybutyrate; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that drug rape is increasing; if possession of this drug should be made illegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18584/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I am informed by my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, that 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, and, therefore, a person may only be in possession of it when it is prescribed by a medical practitioner.

I am further informed by the Minister for Health and Children that 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.

As 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. The scientific committee of the EMCDDA, chaired by Dr. Desmond Corringan, head of the school of pharmacy in Trinity College, will carry out a risk assessment on the drug in the coming months to decide, at a European level, whether further controls are needed on its use. This assessment 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 on whether stricter controls should be placed on GHB.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no evidence of the widespread availability of GHB in Ireland and there is no evidence that drug rape has increased due to it use.

I am further informed that no seizures have been made in Ireland to date, although several seizures have been made in the United Kingdom.