ABUSERS OF DATE-RAPE DRUG MAY FACE TOUGHER PENALTIES

WASHINGTON -- The House approved legislation Tuesday to beef up
penalties for anyone who misuses GHB, a substance blamed in the 1996
death of a 17-year-old La Porte, Texas, girl.

The drug, which has become popular in nightclubs and at parties, has
been linked to cases of date rape.

The bill, called the Hillory J. Farias Date Rape Prevention Act, would
add gamma y-hydroxybutrate (GHB) to the list of Schedule I drugs,
which includes controlled substances such as heroin and cocaine.

If the measure clears the Senate and is signed into law, it would
impose a 20-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of administering
GHB to an unknowing victim.

"This is a nightmare. It needs to end," said Rep. Fred Upton, a
Michigan Republican who co-sponsored the legislation with Rep. Sheila
Jackson Lee, D-Houston.

Jackson Lee, who has pushed for a GHB crackdown for almost three
years, called the House action "a victory for those of us concerned
about date-rape drugs."

The bill passed 423-1. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Surfside, was the lone
dissenter.

The substance -- used in the treatment of narcolepsy, a frequent and
uncontrollable desire for sleep -- has been linked to at least 40
deaths. It also has been blamed for rendering some users unable to
fend-off sexual advances.

In August 1996, Farias died several hours after returning from a party
where she had consumed a soft drink investigators say was laced with
GHB. An autopsy turned up traces of the substance. No one has been
charged in her death.

A clear, odorless liquid, GHB is commonly mixed with alcohol. It is
sold illegally in teaspoon amounts for $5 to $10.

The drug -- whose active ingredients are found in paint-stripper --
slows its user's heart rate and respiration, causing a relaxed
sensation. In some instances, GHB leads to a deep sleep resembling
coma. Users often report hallucinations and amnesia.