Vicky was nineteen when she came up pregnant—she had no physical signals of rape, she woke up in her own bed and therefore had no reason to be concerned. She assumed she had too much to drink, although she doesn’t remember the previous night’s events. Vicky thought a friend must have helped get her safely home. She was shocked to discover two months later that she was pregnant. “I hadn’t had sex for over a year. I bought three pregnancy tests before going to a clinic for a blood test.” She chose to keep and raise her child with the help of her family. In her own words “having the baby brought peace and healing to my life.”
Alcohol and Rohypnol combination is intensified and very hazardous together. If a woman is drinking alcohol when the drug is slipped into her drink, the combination can impair her memory and judgment greatly. Woman who become intoxicated on a combination of alcohol and Rohypnol often experience blackouts lasting eight to twenty-four hours following ingestion—which can make her unable to resist a sexual attack. If combined with other drugs the results may lead to respiratory depression, aspiration, coma and even death. Possession of Rohypnol is punishable for up to three years in prison and a fine. Distribution and administration of this rape drug without the person’s knowledge is punishable by twenty years in prison and a fine.
By taking the preventive measures to protect yourself and your friends; you can avoid becoming a potential victim. Print this article out and give it to friends you now … it may save a life!
Besides the worries of unprotected sex, sexually transmitted diseases are a high risk—your best defense against rapists and date rape drugs is awareness.
Here are a few helpful tips for staying aware, alert, and safe:
- Be careful about accepting drinks from anyone you don’t know or have known long enough to trust. The best choice is not to let anyone fix you a drink. Always mix the drink yourself and carry your own drink.
- Don’t share or exchange drinks with anyone.
- If you are accepting a drink, make sure it’s from an unopened container and that you open it yourself.
- Do not drink from open containers at parties and accept drinks only from bartenders or servers, watch them open the can or pour—don’t be distracted by conversation.
- If dancing, don’t leave your drink unattended. If you realize your drink has been left unattended, toss it out.
- Consider buying a specially designed drug testing coaster—see below to test your drink for the drug. They are low-cost and a smart choice.
- Remember any kind of beverage can be drugged—there is no taste or smell.
- If possible bring your own drinks to parties. Don’t drink from a container that is being passed around
- If your drink tastes or looks differently than it should or tastes funny or salty, foamy, cloudy, or if it has residue in it throw it away!
- Don’t go to parties alone; travel in a group of people and stick together at a party. Look out not only for yourself, but keep an eye on your female friends.
- A really good idea is to not let your friends get too drunk or wasted. If they do party intensely, take them home, staying with them to make sure they are all right before leaving.
- Don’t let your friend disappear and don’t let them wander off with a member of the opposite sex, stay by their side. Don’t leave with someone you do not know well or have just met.
- Don’t put your drink down and leave it unattended, even to go to the restroom. Monitor your drink constantly.
- Refuse to drink from a punchbowl; this is a place where anything can be dropped in.
- Stay sober. Don’t use drugs or alcohol; you need to have a clear head at all times.
