DATE RAPE DRUGS ARE WEAPONS: MP

MP James Moore (Port-Moody-Coquit-lam-Port Coquitlam) has introduced a
private member's motion calling on the government to take action to
fight date rape drugs.

Moore's motion calls for date rape drugs to be listed in the criminal
code as weapons rather than drugs.

"Quite simply, date rape drugs shouldn't be treated the same way in
the criminal code as heroin or cocaine because they are used to
victimize other people, involuntarily," Moore said in a news release.
"They are used to attack others, not ingested by choice."

Date rape drugs such as GHB and rohypnol are easily slipped into
drinks and food. Once ingested, they act rapidly, rendering the victim
unconscious and unresponsive within minutes. Victims are often unaware
they have even been sexually assaulted or raped, with little or no
memory of their attacker.

All traces of the drug can leave the body within 72 hours of ingestion
and are not found in any routine toxicology screen or blood test.

Speaking to his motion in the Commons, Moore said: "Not long ago, a
husband and wife predator team in Prince George used date rape drugs
to drug young children to create child pornography. And last month a
32-year-old Quebec woman died after drinking beverages laced with a
date rape drug."