Residents are advised to take precautions when they are out having a drink, after the appearance of a dangerous date rape drug. "Watch your drinks," said Chief Marlo Pritchard, from the Weyburn Police Service.
Residents are advised to take precautions when they are out having a drink, after the appearance of a dangerous date rape drug. "Watch your drinks," said Chief Marlo Pritchard, from the Weyburn Police Service.
"Take precautions such as going out with friends, and make sure you are not taking other illicit drugs that you are not aware of," added Pritchard.
One of the biggest dangers of date rape drugs is that it can be used to facilitate a sexual assault. In the case of a sexual assault, there are places where a person can turn for help.
"The concern for Envision is that people who are sexually assaulted sometimes don't know where to turn; they don't know that we have a sexual assault examiner at the Weyburn General Hospital that can be called in," said Christa Daku, counselling supervisor at Envision Counselling and Support Centre.
In addition, victim services are also called to the hospital, to assist with the examination.
"We have provided some packages to the hospital here, in regards to how survivors of sexual assault might experience the trauma, may experience the after-effects of the sexual assault.
It is pretty typical of many of them to not want to reach out right away," said Daku.
According to statistics from Envision Counselling and Support Centre, over 75 per cent of rape victims know their attackers. A person is more likely to be assaulted by someone they know.
A woman is sexually assaulted by forced sexual intercourse every 17 minutes in Canada, and only eight per cent of women who are sexually assaulted report it to the police.
"The reality is the incidents of sexual assault are not random occurrences," said Daku. One most commonly-felt reaction is shame or self-blame. Other emotions may include guilt, inability to trust, fear, isolation, depression, anger, low self-esteem and a fear of intimacy.
"It's frightening for people in the community," said Daku. "Make sure that you are protecting yourself, that you are protecting your drinks. Go to the bar with a group of people, so you have a support group."
Most date rape drugs are colourless, odourless and tasteless or have a taste that can be masked so that they can easily be slipped into a victim's drink without the victim noticing.
The most common date rape drugs include Rohypnol (Roofies), GHB (liquid ecstasy) and Ketamine (Special K). All three of these drugs can cause visual disturbance, drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, motion difficulty, breathing problems, disorientation, trembling, hallucinations, convulsions, decreased inhibitions, and amnesia. The worst effects include coma and death.
One of the first signs that someone was drugged is that they are getting more intoxicated than they normally would. "They can be tested for the drug up to 72 hours," said Daku. "It is important for someone who was sexually assaulted to access medical help."
"There is always a concern anytime someone is using a noxious substance, it increases the threat to our community," said Pritchard. "The combination of alcohol with any drugs can compound the effects of the drug."
Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact forced on a person without their consent and may range from non-accidental touching to forced intercourse. The most common date rape drug is alcohol, without any of the additives.
It is possible for a victim of a date rape drug to 'come to' during an assault, and the drugs render them totally helpless and unable to do anything. When victims are raped, they doubt the assault because of the impaired memory of it. When victims begin to feel the effects, they often leave and are caught alone and vulnerable.
"The law is that you can not give appropriate consent if you have been drinking," said Daku.
"If someone says yes to sexual contact while under the influence, the law does not view it as having given true consent."
Envision Counselling and Support Centre, Victim Services and other sexual assault centres offer their services free and confidentially. Individual counselling is available for people affected by sexual assault.
"It is normal to feel you might not want counselling right away," said Daku. She added that there is a 24-hour abuse and sexual assault support line.
The Weyburn Police Services are still investigating recent uses of GHB at local bars. Anyone with information on the incident, or any other use of date rape drugs in the community, can contact the Weyburn Police Service or Crimestoppers. The Weyburn Police Service works with Envision and Victim Services to make referrals when needed.
