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Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault

 

Rohypnol and GHB


There are strong indications that both “date-rape drugs” are present in San Luis Obispo County. Reports indicate that women and men have been dosed at local drinking establishments, clubs, local parties and teen events.

Protect yourself - Watch your drink!

  • Don't drink beverages that you did not open yourself.

  • Don't take a drink from a punch bowl.

  • Don't drink from a container that is being passed around.

  • If someone offers to buy you a drink, go with them to the bar, watch your drink being poured, and carry the drink yourself.

  • Don't leave your drink unattended while talking, going out to smoke, dancing, using the rest room or for any reason.

  • If you realize that you have left your drink unattended, discard the drink.

  • Don't drink anything that has an unusual taste.

  • Go out with friends in groups and come home with your friends. Don't leave without each other!

  • Designate a sober person.

  • Have a plan to check in with each other.

  • If one of your friends appears to be highly intoxicated, or sick after drinking a beverage, take them home, and if necessary, call 911 for emergency medical care.

  • Talk to friends about incidents, situations, or individuals that appear to be high-risk; know about clubs where “dosing” is known to have occurred.

What is Rohypnol?

Rohypnol is a potent and fast-acting sedative. The physical effects of the drug may be noticeable within twenty to thirty minutes after ingestion.

Rohypnol causes drowsiness, confusion, impaired motor skills, dizziness, inhibition, impaired judgment and reduced levels of consciousness. You may look and act like someone who is drunk. Your speech may be slurred and you may have difficulty walking. You may be completely unconscious.

It is illegal to manufacture, distribute or possess Rohypnol in this country.

What is GHB?

GHB is a powerful synthetic drug that acts as a depressant on the central nervous system. The effects of the drug can be felt by the body within fifteen minutes after ingestion.

GHB causes dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, seizures, respiratory depression, intense drowsiness, unconsciousness and coma.

When either drug is combined with alcohol or other drugs, it can cause complete or partial amnesia about the events that took place after they were ingested. More information is available at www.projectGHB.org.

How does it happen?

You are at a party, a club or a social event. You are with people you know, people you think you have no reason to fear. Someone secretly drops a drug like Rohypnol or GHB into your drink. When the drug dissolves, it is colorless and odorless. It may also be tasteless (GHB can be salty tasting).

As you consume the drink, the drug takes effect! You're now in a weakened, helpless or unconscious state. You're so incapacitated that you can't escape or resist a rapist, or even call out for help. You're sexually assaulted. When this drug wears off, you may not remember what happened or who participated because the drug often causes amnesia. When combined with alcohol or other drugs the mixture can be lethal.

Signs of being drugged

If you feel a lot more intoxicated than your usual response to the amount of alcohol you consumed... If you wake up abnormally hung over with memory lapse and can't account for a period of time after... If you remember taking a drink but cannot recall what happened for a period of time after... If you feel as though someone had sex with you but you can't remember any or all of the incident...

What to do if you are drugged or think you were drugged.

  • Get to a safe place.

  • Get help immediately. Call 911/Call SARP Center at
    (805) 545-8888

  • Go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Request that the hospital take a urine sample for drug toxicology testing to be done by your law enforcement agency's crime lab.

  • Preserve as much physical evidence as possible. Do not urinate, shower, bathe, douche, or throw away the clothing that you were wearing during the incident.

  • If possible, save any other materials that might provide evidence (for example, the glass that you drank from, the punch bowl...)

  • Act quickly. These drugs will leave your system within 4 to 12 hours!!

Cut, Fresh Pink Flowers

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

— Margaret Mead

 

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