Drugs Associated with Spiking Reclassified
2022
On 13th April the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, announced the reclassification of three drugs associated drinks ‘spiking’ meaning greater sentences for those found to be in possession of the drug as well as those with connections to its production and supply.
The Home Secretary had asked the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to expedite a review of controls on these drugs in January 2020, after becoming concerned about their use by criminals as widely reported in the national press.
Following the recommendations by the ACMD, three drugs have now been moved from ‘Class C’ to ‘Class B’ under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971)
The reclassified drugs are GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD) which have all been found to facilitate serious crimes, including murder, rape, sexual assault and robbery.
The reclassification was effective from 13th April, meaning that those found in possession of these drugs will face potentially tougher penalties.
Those found in unlawful possession of these drugs face sentences of up to five years behind bars, while those involved in the supply and production will face up to 14 years in prison.