DATE-RAPE PILL AMONG POSSIBLE DRUGS IN HOSPITAL MYSTERY

More Than Sleeping Pills Used: Expert

GRANDE PRAIRIE - There are more than 25 different sedative-type drugs,
including date-rape drug Rohypnol, that might have been used to
terrorize fourth-floor staff at Grande Prairie's Queen Elizabeth II
Hospital, says an Alberta pharmaceutical expert.

For the past 16 months there have been more than 20 reports of staff
on the floor experiencing dizziness and memory loss and having to go
home and sleep for hours.

Union officials have said that at least three hospital workers have
tested positive for a drug in their system. Officials with Peace
Country Health have told staff members not to share their food and
drink or leave it unattended.

RCMP are investigating the matter.

Cheryl Wiens, an assistant professor at the University of Alberta,
said there could be a number of possibilities to explain the symptoms
staff are experiencing, and how they're being drugged.

Rohypnol, which is illegal in Canada, easily dissolves in liquids and
absorbs rapidly. It is odourless, colourless and tasteless when added
to alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.

Health Canada says side effects include drowsiness, dizziness,
impaired thinking and memory loss. The latter side effect is one
reason it has been associated with date rape.

Wiens said there can be short-term memory loss with common sleeping
pills, such as the class of medications known as benzodiazepines,
which include Restorial, Halcion and Valium.

"It's more just when it's in your system, around that event that you
don't have memories right during that time, but once it's out of your
system, it's fine," she said.

The health region has reported that staff have also experienced
flu-like symptoms, but Wiens said that those symptoms are not common
with benzodiazepines.

"That might be a sign that there is some other contaminant," she said.
"Once they identify which chemical it is, that will be a lot easier."

RCMP spokesman Jim Hendry said there have been no further reports of
health workers being drugged since June 16.

There are 71 full-time and 16 casual workers on the floor.