Pubdate: Tue, 11 Nov 2008
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2008 The Vancouver Sun
Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Dr. Mike Figurski

ALCOHOL FAR MORE OFTEN TO BLAME FOR DATE RAPE THAN DRUGS

I read with interest of the rape conviction of former Matsqui prison 
guard Balkar Singh Basra. I don't questions the conviction, but I do 
question the accuracy (and relevance) of the judge's finding that the 
intoxication was not by alcohol.

As an emergency physician, I have tested for "date rape" drugs 
(including GHB, rohypnol and ketamine) more than 100 times, often at 
the patient's request, and have yet to see a positive result.

I believe alcohol is the drug responsible for the vast majority of 
date rapes and that we are doing little to address the problem when 
we are distracted by less likely scenarios.

Dr. Mike Figurski

Kelowna
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