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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl