Legislature(2005 - 2006)BUTROVICH 205
03/13/2006 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB379 | |
| SB299 | |
| SB281 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 299 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 379 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | SB 281 | ||
CSHB 379(JUD)-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, INCL. ANALOGS
CHAIR DYSON announced CSHB 379(JUD) to be up for discussion.
1:35:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN MEYER, sponsor of CSHB 379(JUD), said that
gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is oderless, tasteless,
colorless, and easy to slip into a drink; consequently it is
gaining popularity as a date rape drug. He related an incident
that occurred in the state last year in which a 16-year-old girl
died, and an 18-year-old girl was put into a coma after
overdosing on GHB.
He said that none of the analogues of GHB are listed under state
statute because it is currently listed as a category IV
controlled substance. He said that HB 379 would correct this
oversight by elevating GHB to class one status, which has been
its status with the federal government since the year 2000. He
added that the bill would for allow the continued use of GHB in
industry.
1:37:20 PM
CHAIR DYSON said he assumed that most of the violations
associated with the drug would be prosecuted in state court if
this bill becomes law.
REPRESENTATIVE MEYER replied yes.
1:37:43 PM
MICHAEL PAWLOWSKI, staff to Representative Meyer, said that the
aforementioned overdose case was tried in a federal court
because the substance was not covered under state law.
1:38:11 PM
SENATOR OLSON asked why GHB should be made a Schedule I drug
when it does not share the addictive properties of other drugs
in that category.
REPRESENTATIVE MEYER replied that the federal government
recognizes GHB as a highly addictive drug.
1:39:33 PM
MR. PAWLOWSKI remarked that Alaska statute is behind federal
statute with regard to the classification of GHB because it has
only recently become a popular date rape drug.
SENATOR OLSON asked him to describe the effects GHB.
MR. PAWLOWSKI responded that is it slows the heart, respiratory
system, and it can cause amnesia. He said that a very small
quantity of the drug creates effects similar to that of severe
alcohol intoxication.
1:41:47 PM
SENATOR OLSON asked why this drug should be categorized as a
Schedule I drug when it is less addictive than other drugs in
that category.
MR. PAWLOWSKI replied that the federal government classified GHB
as a Schedule I drug because it is dangerous and addictive, it
causes serious withdrawal symptoms, and has significant
potential for widespread abuse.
1:42:06 PM
SENATOR OLSON asked how the drug causes fatalities.
MR. PAWLOWSKI replied the drug kills by causing respiratory
system failure and cardiac arrest.
CHAIR DYSON referenced the following from material presented
with the bill:
When ingested these analogues produce effects such as
relaxation, mild euphoria, and drowsiness. Such
effects are similar to the results of alcohol
intoxication. They also increase libido,
suggestibility, passivity, and amnesia - traits that
make users vulnerable to sexual assault and other
criminal acts. On awakening from a coma, users may
exhibit extreme combativeness, a condition that is
also observed in those addicted to GHB.
1:43:02 PM
CHRIS BEHEIM, Crime Lab Supervisor, Alaska State Crime Lab, said
that state law does not cover two of the analogues of GHB. He
affirmed that the federal government categorized GHB as a
Schedule I drug because of its high potential for widespread
abuse and because of its addictive properties.
SENATOR OLSON asked why metabolites of the drug clear so quickly
from the liver and the kidney.
MR. BEHEIM replied that question should be directed to a
toxicologist.
SENATOR OLSON asked whether metabolites of the drug are detected
through spectrometry tests.
MR. BEHEIM replied yes. He stressed that routine tests, such as
the ones conducted in a hospital, would not detect the drug or
its analogues.
1:45:49 PM
SENATOR ELTON asked how authorities establish whether the drug
has been used.
MR. BEHEIM replied that the state lab could detect the drug in a
liquid sample. He added that is how it was identified in the
aforementioned overdose case.
CHAIR DYSON remarked that the lab might one day have to equip
itself to detect the drug in blood and urine samples.
SENATOR OLSON asked whether there is a legal medical application
of GHB.
MR. BEHEIM replied that the drug has a legitimate medical
application that is protected under the state's controlled
substances statutes.
1:49:03 PM
SENATOR OLSON asked whether the medical community has expressed
its opinion on the passage of this bill.
MR. BEHEIM replied that the medical community has not expressed
an opinion on the bill.
1:49:31 PM
SENATOR OLSON moved to report CSHB 379(JUD) out of committee.
Without objection, CSHB 379(JUD) was reported from the Senate
Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.
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