Pubdate: Tue, 21 Mar 2006
Source: Daily Courier, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers
Contact: http://209.115.237.105/kelowna/publish/include/letterToEditor.php
Website: http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/531
Author: Chuck Poulsen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/date+rape (date rape)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

DATE-RAPE WARNING SOUNDED

The seizure of a large quantity of a date-rape drug has prompted
police to warn women to be careful in bars and at house parties.

During a routine traffic stop on March 15, RCMP seized some cocaine,
which led to a search warrant for the residence of the vehicle's
owners, where a one-litre bottle of gamma-hydroxy butyrate (GHB) was
found.

"One litre is a significant seizure, as a very small quantity can have
seriously harmful affects," said RCMP Sgt. Reg Burgess.

Charges are pending.

Burgess said a woman at a downtown pub was likely given a date-rape
drug in the past month.

Police couldn't confirm the presence of a date-rape drug in the
woman's system because it was reported too late.

The woman was looked after by friends and didn't come to any serious
harm.

"She had only one drink and became immediately intoxicated and had
unusual behaviour," said Burgess.

"The description provided of what occurred is very similar to what you
would see in a date-rape drug situation. She had a few friends who
recognized that something was going wrong and got her out of that situation."

He said police do not have a suspect.

GHB has several street names, including "easy lay."

Burgess said there have been confirmed cases in Kelowna of sexual
assaults resulting from date-rape drugs that were found in the
victim's system.

Burgess said people will often add a date rape drug to the party drug
ecstasy without the woman knowing what she is taking.

"Young women in a night club or house party situation are the usual
targets," said Burgess. "Caution should always be used."

Police recommend that a drink never be left unattended and that
females have a buddy system so there will be someone to look after
them should their drink get spiked.

[sidebar]

DATE-RAPE DRUGS

Rohypnol -- Street names: rophy, roofies, R2-Do-U, rope,
forget-me-pill, Mexican valium. -- Ten times the strength of Valium --
A dose of one milligram can impair a victim for up to 12 hours and up
to 36 hours if taken with alcohol.

Gamma-hydroxy butyrate (GHB) -- Street names: Easy lay, scoop her,
get-her-to-bed, Georgia home boy. -- Previously marketed to
bodybuilders to promote weight loss and muscle development. -- Used as
a sedative to come off stimulants such as cocaine. -- Sold in small
plastic bottles about the size of hotel shampoo or Visine. -- Effects
occur within 15 minutes and can last for 72 hours if taken with alcohol.

Ketamine -- Street names: Special K, KO, make-her-mine, cat valiums.
- -- Causes dream-like states, hallucinations and amnesia -- Can cause
temporary paralysis or, in larger doses, convulsions and coma.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake