PANEL OKS MEASURE ON DATE RAPE DRUGS

SALEM - The use of so-called "date rape" drugs could bring harsher penalties
under a bill approved by a House committee on Friday.

More serious charges could be filed if the odorless, colorless and tasteless
drugs are used to facilitate rape, kidnapping, assault and other violent
crimes.

A subcommittee heard powerful testimony on Thursday from a high school
senior who had been a victim of a sexual assault after she had unwittingly
consumed an alcoholic drink laced with a date rape drug.

The girl said when she was 15, a friend had given her the drink and the last
thing she remembered was being carried to bed. She later awoke to find
another friend helping her put her clothes on.

The victim is related to an aide to state Rep. Vicki Walker, D-Eugene, a
member of the House Judiciary Committee, which approved House Bill 2353.
Walker said that in addition to strengthening penalties, she was concerned
about making people aware of the dangers of leaving a drink unattended.

"There needs to be more education about this for the public," Walker said.

But even people who take precautions can be at risk, said Rep. Jo Ann
Bowman, D-Portland.

"The scary thing is that alcohol doesn't have to be involved," Bowman said.
"You can just slip these drugs into whatever someone is eating or drinking."

Committee Chairman Max Williams, R-Tigard, said public hearings had educated
him on the issue and it was a "much more persistent and pernicious crime
than I was aware of."

Three substances are particularly targeted by the bill - Rohypnol, Ketamine
and GHB. Rohypnol is a sedative 10 times more powerful than Valium.