A WIRRAL family is hoping the drug that killed their son will be banned - following a similar move in America.

US President Bill Clinton has signed a law banning possession of GHB and imposing severe penalties on law breakers.

It now becomes a Schedule One drug in the USA - placing it in the same category as cocaine and heroin under the country's controlled substances act.

In December, 1998, Ian Hignett became the third Briton to die from the affects of the drug (full name Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate) after it was given to him by friends at his Bebington home.

When told of the American decision, Ian's mother Carol Hignett said: "This is excellent news, really smashing. Hopefully this will bring more awareness about the dangers of the drug.

"The more publicity there is the better people's knowledge. I hope this will now mean that our Government will ban the drug.

"I don't believe that making it illegal will stop people taking it but I hope it will mean that more people will get to know about the dangers involved. People just don't know what they are taking."

GHB is a clear liquid which, if mixed with alcohol, can result in cardiac arrest. It is becoming increasingly available in pubs and clubs and has been used in a similar way to the 'date rape' drug Rhohypnol.

It has claimed more than 27 lives in America leading to its prohibition in several states before this latest ruling.

According to US law, a schedule one drug is a substance that has a high potential for abuse and has no currently accepted use in medical treatment.

Mrs Hignett's MP Ben Chapman has been campaigning for some time to have the drug reclassified in this country and has been backed by both Wirral Coroner Christopher Johnson and DCI Colin Matthews of Birkenhead Police.

After the statement from the White House Mr Chapman tabled more questions on the subject.

He says: "President Clinton's decision reflects the dangerous nature of the drug. As a result of this statement I have tabled a number of questions in the House of Commons pressing the UK authorities to take similar action here."

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