Pubdate: Wed, 17 Mar 2004
Source: Peninsula News Review (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Peninsula News Review
Contact:  http://www.peninsulanewsreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1373
Author: Alex McTeer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?158 (Club Drugs)

ROYHPNOL, A GIRL'S WORST NIGHTMARE

Stelly's Style

It's twelve o'clock and a young girl is sitting with her friends at a 
party. A good-looking guy who is checking her out approaches her. He offers 
her a blue cocktail. Smitten, she accepts.

As she sips away her friends leave her alone with the "hottie." Fifteen 
minutes later she starts to feel woozy. The next thing she remembers is 
waking up in a stranger's bed without any recollection of the night's 
events. This young girl, who could be anybody, has been raped.

The drug Rohypnol, is a very powerful sedative that is illegal in North 
America. More commonly know as the "date rape drug", it is also referred to 
as "Roofies", or the "Forget me" pill.

Although prescribed in many European countries as a sleeping pill, the date 
rape drug is not only dangerous but can easily fall into the wrong hands. 
According to the US Government DEA, Rohypnol is most commonly used amongst 
boys aged from 13 to 30. This misleads many young people thinking that the 
date rape drug only happens at clubs and bars. In fact, Royhypnol is very 
inexpensive, about five dollars a pill, and it only takes one.

Although Royhypnol is generally smuggled in through Mexico, a young guy 
looking for a good time can still easily attain it.

Royhypnol is tasteless and odorless which adds to the vulnerability of the 
victim. European makers of the drug have started to add a blue dye to the 
pill, but this is easily camouflaged in a tropical cocktail.

Being able to mask the drug isn't its only threat; it depresses the central 
nervous system, and completely knocks out the victim leaving them with no 
recollection of the evening's events. In the worst case scenario, the girl 
has been violated several times and has been infected with an STI (sexually 
transmitted infection).

There is no end to the countless horrendous possibilities that could happen 
to a young girl or even woman that has been rendered unconscious.

There are several date rape attacks that never go reported because the girl 
just can't remember what happened and is too embarrassed to report 
anything. Even if a girl feels she may have been raped, it is crucial she 
report it, not only is she doing herself good but may be preventing future 
attacks.

Rohypnol is scary stuff and it's not as unlikely as one may think. Any girl 
who thinks she is safe has already made the number one mistake. This isn't 
to say be paranoid about every guy that you meet, but there is no harm in 
always being careful:

- - don't ever leave your drink unattended and then return to it:

- - watch out for friends, and:

- - be wary of a guy who's suddenly taken an interest in you when your friend 
leaves for the bathroom.

With Spring Break upon us, there will be no shortage of fun or partying. 
Ladies, have fun but don't assume just because the guy your chatting with 
is cute you're safe. You never know.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom