In a letter to parliament, Public Health Minister Edith Schippers writes that she will add the ‘party drug’ GHB to List 1 of the Opium Act, the legislation that deals with controlled substances.

She hopes that putting the drug in the same category as other so-called 'hard' drugs like cocaine and heroin will send a clear warning to consumers about the risks involved in its use.

GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid), usually sold as a salt or dissolved in water, is a popular drug on the club and party scene. It gives users a sense of euphoria but can pose a serious health risk, particularly when used in combination with alcohol or other drugs.

(gsh/tf)

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