VANCOUVER POLICE, FEDS TACKLE DATE-RAPE DRUGS

On the same day Vancouver police issued a dire warning about "date-rape"
drugs, Ottawa announced a plan to clamp down on the chemicals used to make
those drugs in clandestine labs.

The Vancouver Police Department announced Friday it has launched a study of
how often drugs are used to facilitate sexual assaults. In several
unrelated incidents, date-rape drugs are reported to have been added to
unattended drinks in bars and nightclubs, police say.

Meanwhile, federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh and Justice Minister Irwin
Cotler announced Friday that Ottawa is proposing tighter regulation on
chemicals used to produce the date-rape drug gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB),
as well as ingredients used to make crystal methamphetamine.