Pubdate: Fri, 19 Dec 2003
Source: Tampa Tribune (FL)
Section: Moneysense
Copyright: 2003, The Tribune Co.
Contact:  http://www.tampatrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446
Note: Limit LTEs to 150 words
Author: Cherie Jacobs, of the Tribune
Webpage: http://tampatrib.com/businessnews/MGAAUO1QDOD.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?158 (Club Drugs)

NIGHTCLUB NAPKINS OFFER WORDS OF WISDOM ON CLUB DRUGS

TAMPA -- The Florida Department of Health hopes that as nightclub patrons 
raise a glass this holiday season, a simple cocktail napkin will raise 
their awareness.

As part of the agency's Sexual Violence Prevention Program, 119 nightclubs 
statewide plan to hand out cocktail napkins that caution women to beware of 
someone slipping dangerous drugs into their drinks. The Health Department 
said Thursday it is distributing 1 million educational cocktail napkins to 
nightclubs in 14 cities, including Tampa.

Printed on the napkins is this caution: "Watch your drink, stay safe from 
club drugs." The napkins include a toll-free number and a Web address for 
the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence.

This is the third year club owners have participated in the campaign, which 
is aimed at warning patrons against so-called predator drugs, including 
gamma hydroxybutyrate, known as GHB; rohypnol, known as roofies; and 
ketamine, also called Special K. The drugs can sedate victims and blur 
memory, making them vulnerable to sexual attack.

About 132,000 napkins were sent to 15 clubs in the Tampa Bay area. Last 
year, 2,034 forcible sexual offenses were reported in Hillsborough and 
Pinellas counties, said Lindsay Hodges, spokeswoman for the Department of 
Health.

At the Green Iguana nightclub in Ybor City, a shipment of 1,000 napkins 
should last through New Year's Eve, said manager Alan Fosco.
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