Enhanced safeguards against powerful sedatives
The Health Committee has responded to a cabinet draft of a bill amending the New Psychoactive Substances Act, with members Linda Heitmann and Kirsten Kappert-Gonther expressing their support for the proposed changes.
The inclusion of GBL in the New Psychoactive Substances Act was initiated by the traffic light coalition nearly a year ago. GBL is a chemical that is easily obtainable and from which incapacitating agents can be easily produced. The traffic light coalition took this step to address the production of incapacitating agents, which are substances regulated by the New Psychoactive Substances Act to ensure public safety.
The black-red coalition, comprising the CDU/CSU (Union) and the SPD (Social Democratic Party of Germany), is responsible for this bill. This coalition government has been instrumental in various legislative and reform efforts in Germany.
The amendment aims to subject GBL to stricter regulation. However, the Health Committee's response makes it clear that transferring GBL to the New Psychoactive Substances Act alone is not enough. Comprehensive prevention, more awareness, and education in bars and clubs are needed to effectively combat the misuse of GBL.
Effective victim protection is necessary in this context. Victims of crimes involving incapacitating agents often face severe physical and psychological consequences that can last a lifetime. Rapid testing procedures, medical care, and access to legal aid are crucial aspects of victim protection. The Health Committee is committed to ensuring that victim protection and prevention are given priority in the further process.
The deliberate use of incapacitating agents in sexual crimes is a heinous and insidious crime. It is important to take victims seriously and support them from the outset. This includes serious consideration from the initial contact with the police, rapid testing procedures, medical care, and access to legal aid.
It is also important to monitor that industries requiring GBL continue to have access to it without creating a black market. This balance between regulation and access is crucial to the success of the amendment.
In conclusion, the Health Committee believes it is right and important to regulate GBL more strictly. However, they also emphasize that this is only the beginning. Comprehensive prevention, victim protection, and education are essential components of a successful strategy to combat the misuse of GBL and other incapacitating agents.
