BE WARY OF DATE-RAPE DRUGS, AD CAMPAIGN URGES WOMEN

Dramatic hike in sex assaults across province

Drug-related sexual assaults are on the increase across the province and
it's only a matter of time before someone dies, warn rape crisis workers.

The alarming increase in drug-related attacks has sparked plans by the
Halton's Violence Prevention Council to launch a public awareness campaign
next Wednesday.

"When we first heard about this in the U.S., we wondered when it would
start happening up here," Jacqueline Schlatman, the Halton Rape Crisis
Centre's education co-ordinator, said in an interview yesterday.

The most common drug being used is Rohypnol, which can render the victim
unconscious and is almost impossible to detect in the body after 24 hours,
police said.

"In Toronto and throughout Ontario we get calls on a weekly basis in rape
crisis centres from women who seem to have been drugged either with
Rohypnol or another drug that has a similar effect," Anne Marie Aikins, of
the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres, said.

"The victims wake up many hours later very disoriented and often vomit
profusely. One of my fears is that everyone's tolerance level is different
and if it's put in someone's drink after they've already had four or five
drinks, what happens if they vomit while they're asleep?

"It's just a matter of time before someone dies."

Victims have ranged in age from 16 to 50 and usually had their drinks
spiked at house parties or bars.

"The next morning the victim may be hung over and have a feeling that
something really bad happened, or they'll remember waking up with a guy on
top of them," said Halton Detective-Constable Chris Lawson.

The drug is not approved for use in North America but can be purchased off
the shelf in some Latin American countries. There are legitimate uses for
it, including treatment of sleep disorders.

Halton's awareness campaign will urge women to be alert, use buddy systems
when attending parties or bars, as well as other tips to avoid being
victimized.

"It's odourless, tasteless, colourless and it works very, very quickly on
people, rendering them unconscious," Aikins said. "Pay attention to your
sister out there. Maybe she's not just getting drunk after a drink and a
half."

Checked-by: Pat Dolan