A LOCAL MP has slammed a magazine for publishing an article about a drug which killed a Wirral man two years ago.

Wirral South MP Ben Chapman has called Bizarre magazine 'irresponsible' after it published an article about the legal drug Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate (GHB). One of his constituents, Ian Hignett from Bebington, died after taking the drug with friends in December, 1998.

Since then Mr Chapman has been campaigning for the drug to be banned. GHB, also known as 'liquid ecstasy' or 'liquid gold' has been linked with 11 deaths worldwide and is used as a date-rape drug.

This month's Bizarre has the words 'GHB drug orgy' on the front page and has a three page article on the drug. It begins: "Within about 20 minutes of downing two or three teaspoons of GHB, things start feeling lovely . . .It's all good."

Ben Chapman says: "The article is wholly irresponsible. GHB can be a killer. It killed Ian Hignett and led to the Wirral District Coroner calling for serious consideration to be given to its reclassification.

"The suggestion that it is a good-time drug without dangerous effects is, at best, misguided. It is responsible for date rape and is far too freely available. That is why I call for it to be banned and why European governments are taking action."

Detective Chf Insp Colin Matthews, of Merseyside Police, says: "I am quite surprised at the tone of the article. This piece sensationalises what is a very dangerous drug.

"We have recommended this drug be made illegal as it is used in date rape... it should be banned."

Editor of Bizarre magazine editor Joe Gardiner told the Globe: "Bizarre magazine neither condones nor condemns the use of drugs. We provide well-researched, impartial information from expert sources and allow our readers to exercise their own judgement.

"We clearly state in the article that: 'More than any other recreational drug, GHB leaves you utterly helpless, a paralytic drunk with no inhibitions'.

"We do not in any way claim, as Ben Chapman alleges that GHB is a good time drug without dangerous effects."