CLINTON MAKES POSSESSION OF 'DATE RAPE' DRUG ILLEGAL

President Clinton signed a bill yesterday to toughen federal laws for
possession and distribution of a powerful "date rape" drug. Known as
GHB, or gamma hydroxybutyrate, it has been linked to at least 58
deaths since 1990 and more than 5,700 recorded overdoses, according to
the Drug Enforcement Administration.

A few drops of the colorless, odorless drug are usually slipped into a
drink. A victim who drinks it can lose consciousness within 20 minutes
and often has no memory of what happened. The drug is difficult to
trace, often leaving the body within 24 hours.

Under the legislation, GHB would be placed in a category of drugs that
are the most strictly regulated by the federal Controlled Substances
Act. Anyone who possesses, manufactures or distributes GHB could face
a prison term of up to 20 years.