Home Secretary Priti Patel has called for an urgent review into whether more stringent controls are needed for date rape drugs such as GHB.
The Conservative minister urged the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to expedite a review into whether current restrictions are tough enough.
Her intervention comes following the sentencing of serial rapist Reynhard Sinaga to at least 30 years in jail after he was convicted of offences against 48 men.
It is thought he laced alcoholic drinks with a drug such as Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), which is also known as liquid ecstasy.
The powerful depressant is a class C drug that is unlawful to possess for yourself or supply – except under a Home Office licence.
Because of its potency, it has become a tool to spike drinks and has been linked to rapes and other sexual assaults.
Home Secretary Priti Patel has called for an urgent review into whether more stringent controls are needed for date rape drugs
Ms Patel’s intervention comes following the sentencing of serial rapist Reynhard Sinaga to at least 30 years in jail after he was convicted of offences against 48 men. It is thought he laced alcoholic drinks with a drug such as Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), which is also known as liquid ecstasy
Ms Patel said: ‘Sinaga committed truly sickening crimes and it is right that he has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
‘I extend my heartfelt sympathy to his victims and my gratitude to the police and prosecutors who worked on this case and put him behind bars.
‘I’m deeply concerned by the use of illegal drugs like GHB to perpetrate these crimes and have asked the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to expedite a review looking at whether our controls for these drugs are tough enough.’
GHB is used recreationally to reduce inhibitions, produce feelings of euphoria and increase the intensity of sex.
But the risks are high, because the difference between the amount that will achieve the desired effects and overdosing is very small.
This can lead to unconsciousness, coma and death.
It does not always have a noticeable taste or smell, but can taste salty, and is particularly dangerous when mixed with alcohol or other depressants and sedatives.
Sentencing Sinaga, Judge Suzanne Goddard QC said: ‘Buying such drugs on the black market and giving surreptitious doses to strangers creates a huge risk of serious harm as there is a narrow margin between a euphoric high, unconsciousness and death.
‘Giving such drugs to men who have drunk large quantities of alcohol is obviously risky as such drugs have an effect on the levels of consciousness. It was a risk you were prepared to ignore to satisfy your perverted desire to have sex with unconscious heterosexual men and film your activities.
‘Such drugs in sufficient doses leave the victim with a complete blackout of what has happened, but can also carry a risk ultimately of serious injury or death should anything go wrong.’
She added that ‘mercifully’ none of the victims suffered any lasting serious physical effects from the druggings.