Pubdate: Mon, 28 May 2001 Source: Sudbury Star (CN ON) Copyright: 1999 The Sudbury Star Contact: http://www.thesudburystar.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/608 Author: Lara Bradley DATE RAPE DRUGS PREVALENT IN SUDBURY Date rate drugs are not simply a big-city phenomenon - they're prevalent in Sudbury. Sudbury Sexual Assault Centre has been getting calls about various date rape drugs - from the veterinarian drug ketamine to the rave drug GHB - for about two years now. "Yes they're here in Sudbury," Stephanie Breault, a counsellor and program co-ordinator, said at an open house held at the centre as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The drugs have been slipped into drinks at local bars as well as at house parties, she said. Breault advises women to use the "buddy system" and avoid open drinks such as punch. Signs that a person has been dosed with one of the date rape drugs include dizziness and blackouts. "You may have had one drink, but it feels like 20," said Breault. Louise Nikodem, financial co-ordinator at the centre, said many don't realize that a woman can be sexual assaulted by a boyfriend or husband. In fact "stranger rape" represents a small percentage of all sexual assaults, she said. Most rapes are inflicted on women and men by family members and close friends of the family. Education is one component of what goes on at the Sexual Assault Centre. Other services the centre provides include accompanying women who have been sexually assaulted to court, the police station or the hospital, one-on-one counselling, as well as support groups for survivors of sexual assault. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake