DATE-RAPE DRUGS REAPPEAR

Antigonish Police Receive Reports Of Three Recent Incidents

It starts out harmlessly enough. Going out with the girls for a few
drinks at a bar. Some stranger buys her a drink and it's flattering.

But after a few more, the world shifts out of focus and suddenly she
doesn't feel well.

Staggering to her feet, she waves off her friends and heads to the
bathroom or leaves the bar.

Someone approaches, acting the hero by helping her home. The next
thing she remembers is groggily waking up and having the disturbing
feeling that something happened, but she just doesn't know for sure.

Emergency-room doctor Maureen Allen has heard too many stories just like this.

And last week there were three more: Date-rape drugs have reappeared
in Antigonish.

Three women reported the symptoms of being drugged, and police are
trying to find out if they were sexually assaulted, too.

Sgt. Jay McInnis couldn't say if they're connected. He suspects
someone dropped pills into the women's drinks.

At present, police are warning people to watch their drinks.

"Sometimes, we're just scared that some of the residents - especially
in a university town like Antigonish - don't take it seriously
enough," said McInnis.

Dangers

The victims could not only end up pregnant, but also contract HIV,
hepatitis, other sexually-transmitted diseases, or be stricken with
lifelong infertility, said Allen.

"That's the physical consequences, not to mention the mental
consequences," said Allen.

Rohyphnol and GHB are drugs used frequently in any ER.

"Why we like this drug is that the patient doesn't stop breathing. It
gives them pain relief, but it also makes them stop struggling," said Allen.

The patients don't move, and they experience amnesia.

"They're at the mercy of whoever is doing this."

And what's even more tragic is that in many cases, victims are
confused and don't report it fast enough to collect medical evidence.

Doctors have to collect urine samples within 12 hours and other
medical evidence within 72 hours of a sexual assault.

Allen said these drugs create "a perfect crime situation."

At first glance, a national decrease in reports of sexual assault
would look like good news, but Allen said it's definitely not.

"It's because women and young men are not coming forward, because
they don't know what's happened," said Allen.

"The reason I think we're seeing an increase is because these
predators are getting away with it."