COOKIE MONSTER?

Stupefying Drug Feared Slipped To Festival-Goers

Security might be beefed up for next year's Winnipeg Folk Festival since
three women were hospitalized after eating cookies that may have been laced
with the date rape drug. Trudy Schroeder, Folk Fest manager, said they'll
review security within the festival campground at Birds Hill Park.

"We're very disappointed," Schroeder said. "It's such an idyllic setting
that people sometimes forget they still have to be careful."

On Friday, three women became groggy almost to the point of becoming
unconscious and were taken away in ambulances.

"They had ingested some substance that produced very severe reactions,"
said Schroeder, who did not know their ages. "When questioned later, all
three said they were offered a cookie by someone but couldn't remember who."

Schroeder said she spoke with the Mounties yesterday and they had yet to
determine the nature of the substance. She learned from the park's natural
resource officer that the date rape drug is suspected.

RCMP said they are still waiting for the women to officially file
complaints before investigating further.

"Date rape drug" usually refers to rohypnol, gamma hydroxy butyrate or
ketamine hydrochloride. They render the victim unconscious but responsive
with little or no memory of what happened.

Schroeder said she had no information to indicate any women were assaulted.

CHECKED

Festival-goers are checked for drugs and booze before entering festival
grounds but not at the gates of the campground. There are 250 volunteer
security personnel who monitor the site.

"We may have to take additional measures," Schroeder said.

Mimi Planovska, a festival-goer, said she was concerned for the younger
crowd who might be more likely to accept gifts from strangers.

"It's very easy to get into trouble," she said. "I know lots of people are
under the influence here."

Schroeder said organizers wanted to err on the side of caution and alert
the crowd.

Emcee Dean Jenkinson warned festival-goers on Saturday and again last night
not to accept food or drink from strangers. He said the women were
recovering and no further incidents had been reported.

But 17-year-old Andrea Meades said she learned two of her friends were also
offered cookies from someone in the campground on the weekend. She doesn't
think females were being targeted since both friends are male -- the
16-year-old boy who ate the cookie soon passed out but has since recovered,
Meades said.

"There's a lot of stuff that goes around that campground," added Chelsea
Gowryluk, 22. "You have to be cautious about who you're taking stuff from."