Pubdate: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 Source: Houston Chronicle (TX) Copyright: 1999 Houston Chronicle Contact: http://www.chron.com/ Forum: http://www.chron.com/content/hcitalk/index.html Page: 8A 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea