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Pavlov's New Dogs

Tuesday, 25th April, 2006

Shock! Horror! A particularly dreadful or startlingly different crime is committed and a politician urging a new law quickly flashes on to the television screen. Today it is the turn of South Australian Premier Mike Rann with his promise to make a specific offence of drink spiking.

The new offence will apply to anyone who, without permission, adds to another person's drink any drug, poison or traditional aphrodisiac which is likely to impair the consciousness or bodily function of the victim. What is actually added to the law is a provision that it will not be necessary for the victim to actually consume the drink or to be affected by the substance.

Maybe, just maybe, that change will enable a conviction of a very occasional extra person but Mr Rann has not explained why being liable for two years jail for a failed attempt will be a greater deterrent than existing jail terms for successful ones.

No acknowledgement either that the most frequent drug used to spike drinks and make women more vulnerable to unwanted sexual advances is more alcohol .

Pavlov should have studied
Mike Rann