Harsher sentences introduced for ‘spiking’ drugs

GHB, a drug that is used to spike drinks, has been reclassified as a Class B drug today along with two related substances, GBL and 1,4-BD, meaning that those found in possession of them will face tougher penalties.

From today, those found in unlawful possession of these drugs face sentences of up to five years behind bars, while those involved in supply and production will face up to 14 years in prison.

GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid),  gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD) have been found to facilitate serious crimes, including murder, rape, sexual assault and robbery. These tougher sentences recognise the harms these drugs do and are expected to deter possession and supply, so that the public are better protected from criminals.

Home Secretary, Priti Patel, said:

“These drugs have been used to commit too many heinous crimes and it is right that sentences for those caught in possession of them reflect the damage they do.

“I welcome the tightening of restrictions around these dangerous substances, introducing tougher penalties for possession sends a clear message to those who think they can get away with using it.

“These changes will help ensure the people of Britain are kept safe and that we continue to tackle drug misuse and crime in all its forms”.

Former Love Island contestant, Sharon Gaffka, was found unconscious in a toilet cubicle by her friends in July 2020 while out for lunch. She has no memory of the incident but her friend, who is a doctor, believed she was a victim of spiking. Thankfully Ms Gaffka recovered from the event but too much time had passed by the time she left hospital for any evidence to be gathered as to what she had been spiked with.

Ms Gaffka is now leading a campaign to boost awareness of the dangers of drink spiking, of which GHB is suspected to be one of the most commonly used drugs, with the support of her local MP, David Johnston.

Member of Parliament for Wantage, David Johnston, said:

“Spiking - and the fear of spiking - has been a blight on people trying to enjoy a night out with friends and family for too long.

“The changes announced today are an important step towards ensuring that those who prey on people in order to try and take advantage of them are given the punishments they deserve.”

For the police and Border Force, this change will support their ongoing efforts to tackle spiking.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for drugs, Deputy Chief Constable Jason Harwin, said:

“We know that GHB is used by perpetrators to commit sinister crimes, including spiking, and we recognise the horrible impact these incidents can have on victims. As such, we are supportive of this change, which ties in with our ongoing coordination of the national policing response to needle spiking.

“We continue to work with our law enforcement partners, including the National Crime Agency (NCA), to ensure there is a coordinated, national response to the supply of these types of drugs. If you have any information on the supply of these drugs, please report it to your local force or you can report anonymously via Crimestoppers.”

The Home Secretary 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.

Following the recommendations by the ACMD, these drugs have now been moved from Class C to Class B under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971), which has been welcomed by non-profit charity Stamp Out Spiking UK (SOS UK).

The charity was founded by Dawn Dines in 2019 to tackle the increasing incidents of drink spiking in the UK, as well as supporting victims of spiking.

Dawn Dines, CEO and founder of Stamp Out Spiking, said:

“After nearly two decades campaigning against this crime I feel some sort of justice will be felt by the numerous victims of the disgusting crime. I recall young men and women breaking down, sharing their experiences.

“Even though it’s too late for those victims, this is going to help so many more people in the future.

“We are delighted that the Home Secretary is giving a clear and concise message by the reclassification of the drugs used and that there is zero tolerance of this cowardly crime in our society.”

The Government will continue to tackle drug misuse as announced as part of the 10-year Drug Strategy,From Harm to Hope, ensuring an even tougher response to criminal supply chains and the demand that fuels these illegal and violent markets, as well as supporting people through treatment and recovery.

***ENDS***

Notes to editors:

• The Misuse of Drugs Act controls drugs that are 'dangerous or otherwise harmful' when misused, under three-tiers known as Classes A, B and C, providing a framework within which criminal penalties are given.
• Moving these drugs to Class B will increase the maximum penalty for unlawful possession from two years’ imprisonment, or a fine, or both, to five years’ imprisonment, or a fine, or both. This will signal to the public that offences involving these substances are treated seriously and subject to appropriate penalties, acting as a deterrent for their possession and supply.
• Last year, the Government launched its Safety of Women at Night and Safer Streets Round Three funds, which support the rollout of local pilot initiatives to improve the safety of women in public spaces – including on a night out. Projects being funded include:
• • Training packages for night time economy (NTE) staff;
  • Drink spiking test kits in Police vehicles and at NTE venues;
  • Upgrades to CCTV and street lighting throughout the country;
  • Educational training programmes for men and boys.
• More broadly, our Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy will also help drive long-term change to prevent more of these crimes from happening in the first place, bring perpetrators to justice and ensure victims get the support they need. 
• We are committing to radically changing how we end violence against women and girls with a whole system approach focusing on: prioritising prevention, supporting survivors, pursuing perpetrators, underpinned by a stronger system. This details a number of steps, including immediate investment in measures to make our streets safer, more funding for specialist support services, and a large scale public behaviour campaign to challenge.
• In December, we also set out plans for a first ever Victims’ Law that would ensure victims’ voices are properly heard, and can hold agencies such as the police, Crown Prosecution Service and courts service to account for the service they provide.