Dangers of "party drug" GBL must be recognised

James Brokenshire has urged the Home Office to raise its classification of "party drug" GBL.

Conservatives will vote to raise the drug's classification to Class B when MPs consider the status of the so called ‘legal high’ in Parliament on Monday.

GBL has been linked to a number of sudden deaths, and the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has also said that there is the potential for the drug to be used as a weapon in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Shadow Minister for Home Affairs James Brokenshire said "there have been some very disturbing and tragic cases linked to GBL and it is important that the dangers of the drug are recognised".

He added that one of the consequences of the chaos over cannabis re-classification is that there is the damaging impression that Class C drugs are not particularly harmful. "GBL has very serious risks attached to it which are becoming clearer over time. The Home Office should re-think", he said.