Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault - DATE RAPE - They use such playful terms such as "e", or "love drug" or "special k" - the slang words sound fun - nothing harmful - but just ask anyone who has been unknowingly subjected to these toxic nervous system depressant drugs and there is nothing fun about the experience. Painful memories follow you for years.
Picture this, you are out with your friends, at the beach, at a local club, dancing, flirting with a cute guy or girl, and all of a sudden you feel more intoxicated than you should? or you feel nauseous, dizzy, disoriented - maybe a weird heaviness in your arms and legs. IF you don't think you should be drunk or intoxicated but you are - let your friends know and have someone you know take you home. If a kindly stranger is right there at your side offering assistance. SAY NO. Unless it is an identified Police Officer or local official. Instead call someone in a position of authority, call attention to your situation and if you have the ability let your friends know that you cannot be left alone until a parent, legal guardian or person in authority comes for you. These "date rape drugs" generally take about 10 - 15 minutes to feel the effects and may have a bitter or salty taste but often times have no taste, color or odor.
Some old advice is never pick up your drink after you have left it unattended while dancing, using the bathroom or just looked away while talking to someone. Always know the person who is preparing your drink - bartender or frat boy - best friend or stranger - watch them and be aware of the taste of your drink. Always have MAD Money - that is the amount of money it takes to get you home safely in a private cab or car service.
If you think you were raped - understand that no one invites or causes or deserves to be sexually assaulted. RAPE is not about morals or even about sex - it is a FELONY CRIME. Men and women alike wake up and have no memory of the preceding hours but their bodies often feel and show signs of abuse. You may wake up partially or fully undressed or maybe your predator left no signs. If you have some uneasy feeling about the preceding nights events, collect your first morning urine specimen and store it in the refrigerator until you can hand it off to a professional drug tester. Preserve your clothes and sheets and do not shower, douche, or brush your teeth until you have spoken to a professional. If you have the previous night's drink glasses or bottles, keep it for evidence. Call your local rape crisis center and ask them for help. www.180nj.org 732-264-4111 or 1-888-264-7273. All your phone calls are confidential.
Your local DNA & drug screening center will test your urine for the following substances - Methlenedioxymenthamphetamine or MDMA; Gamma Buyterolactone; Ketamine; Rohypnol and/or Embalming Fluids. (Marijuana soaked in embalming fluids will have a strong noxious odor while burning and can cause unconsciousness for about 4 hours) If you are unable to preserve your first morning's urine, these drugs can also be detected in hair and nails up to 90 days after the event; however, a clear timeframe must be indicated on the day of testing, ie, "I think that someone gave me a daterape drug on June 1st" - in this way, your drug screener will notify the laboratory where to concentrate for the presence of a drug.
Drinking is not a crime but can only be enjoyed in moderation. Excessive drinking lowers your inhibitions - know when to stop and know how to get home safely. Drugs, whether they are prescribed or not, combined with drinking are a lethal combination - just do a search on Karen Ann Quinlan.
