CRITICS DOUBT CURBS WILL WORK ON EASY-TO-MAKE, HARD-TO-DETECT GHB

Any drug can be used to facilitate sexual assault, but GHB is the
favourite, police and health workers agree.

Gammahydroxybutrate, or GHB, is a depressant that causes nausea,
dizziness and amnesia. It can induce a coma-like sleep for several
hours. It is colourless, odourless and nearly tasteless when mixed in
a drink, and its effects are exacerbated by alcohol.

The drug takes hold in as little as 15 minutes and, depending on dose,
clears the body in approximately four to 12 hours -- and victims can
be comatose for up to 24 hours. So GHB often doesn't show up in urine
tests.

But it does make people sick, so police advise that victims go to
hospital as soon as possible and bring a sample of vomit -- as well as
any bottles, glasses or clothing from the scene of the attack.

As little as a teaspoon of GHB can incapacitate someone, and the drug
runs cheap: a 10-millilitre vial sells for around $15.

Rohypnol, or "Roofies," was the first widely recognized "date rape
drug" in the '90s. Now it's GHB, which is usually made in clandestine
labs using simple chemicals and recipes that can be found online.

Health Canada is reviewing GHB and is considering increasing penalties
for offences involving the drug, a spokesperson says.

A decision is expected in the next few months.

In June, federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh proposed tighter
controls on two of the chemicals used to produce GHB -- which are also
used in the production of crystal meth -- and increased penalties for
illegal possession.

People on the front lines of the battle against drug-facilitated
sexual assaults say fear of consequences isn't enough to stop crime.

Even with increased restrictions on GHB, a whole host of prescription
and over-the-counter drugs, and even alcohol, can still be used to
incapacitate victims, says Petra Norris, a nurse at Toronto's Women's
College Hospital sexual assault centre.

"A restraining order might restrain some violent offenders, but it's
darn well not going to deter others."