GHB will be banned from midnight after concern over the number of rapes and sex assaults suffered by people who have had the substance put in their drinks.

Caroline Flint, a junior Home Office minister, will outlaw a further seven substances, including two opiates, which will go on the Class A drug list along with heroin and cocaine."GHB has been used in numerous drug-assisted rapes and sexual assaults. By introducing jail terms for its possession and increasing them for supply, we hope to help prevent the most despicable of crimes," said Flint.