Pubdate: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 Source: Red Deer Advocate (CN AB) Copyright: 2005 Red Deer Advocate Contact: http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2492 Author: Shawna Bauer 'DATE RAPE' DRUG BEING USED IN RED DEER I am a 23-year-old woman living in Red Deer. I have lived here for over two years now but I have been coming to drink at the bars here since I turned 18. Time and time again, I hear stories of girls who have been given the "date rape" pill and what the end results have been. Considering that it has happened to me on a few occasions, it bothers me more every time I hear it. Red Deer is supposed to be known as a safe and quiet city and most of the time it really is. But what is the city of Red Deer doing about this? Nothing. I speak on behalf of many of my girlfriends who live in Red Deer and it has come to a point where a lot of us are afraid to go to the bar. Yes, you can watch your drink and keep it close to you at all times, but with the blink of an eye it can get slipped into your drink. There are three main types of the "date rape" pill, which all enter the system within 10 to 15 minutes and leave the system within 24 to 48 hours. "Date Rape" is one of the fastest growing drug-facilitated, sexual assault crimes today. In most cases, this is how it happens: perpetrators target unsuspecting victims by slipping illicit drugs into their beverages at dance parties, bars or nightclubs. These substances are colourless, tasteless and odorless so the victim has absolutely no way of knowing that the drink he or she is about to consume will cause severe impairment and leave him or her defenceless. The victim is then left at the mercy of the perpetrator, led away to somewhere private and ultimately assaulted. Speaking from experience, this pill does things to you that are almost indescribable. You usually lose the ability to speak in full and understandable sentences, walking is more than difficult, your body goes numb as if falling into some drunken coma, you forget who you are and where you are. I think this would have to be one of the scariest feelings for any person whether it be man or woman. I think that bars should offer cups with lids, even with a cap for the straw, or people should have the option of bringing there own cup to the bar that they would feel safe with. Or the bars should supply the "date rape" tests on the bar counter. This is a liquid you put in your drink and the colour of the liquid would change if you happened to have something slipped in your drink. Maybe this would let potential perpetrators be a little more aware that we are all watching. You may read this and think that it's not a huge issue, but it could be your daughter, sister, girlfriend or a close friend whom this happens to, not because she is careless at the bar but only because she happens to be at the wrong place at the right time. Wouldn't you rather put an end to this problem now before it hurts someone who you know and love? Shawna Bauer, Red Deer - --- MAP posted-by: Derek