ROYHPNOL, A GIRL'S WORST NIGHTMARE

Stelly's Style

It's twelve o'clock and a young girl is sitting with her friends at a
party. A good-looking guy who is checking her out approaches her. He offers
her a blue cocktail. Smitten, she accepts.

As she sips away her friends leave her alone with the "hottie." Fifteen
minutes later she starts to feel woozy. The next thing she remembers is
waking up in a stranger's bed without any recollection of the night's
events. This young girl, who could be anybody, has been raped.

The drug Rohypnol, is a very powerful sedative that is illegal in North
America. More commonly know as the "date rape drug", it is also referred to
as "Roofies", or the "Forget me" pill.

Although prescribed in many European countries as a sleeping pill, the date
rape drug is not only dangerous but can easily fall into the wrong hands.
According to the US Government DEA, Rohypnol is most commonly used amongst
boys aged from 13 to 30. This misleads many young people thinking that the
date rape drug only happens at clubs and bars. In fact, Royhypnol is very
inexpensive, about five dollars a pill, and it only takes one.

Although Royhypnol is generally smuggled in through Mexico, a young guy
looking for a good time can still easily attain it.

Royhypnol is tasteless and odorless which adds to the vulnerability of the
victim. European makers of the drug have started to add a blue dye to the
pill, but this is easily camouflaged in a tropical cocktail.

Being able to mask the drug isn't its only threat; it depresses the central
nervous system, and completely knocks out the victim leaving them with no
recollection of the evening's events. In the worst case scenario, the girl
has been violated several times and has been infected with an STI (sexually
transmitted infection).

There is no end to the countless horrendous possibilities that could happen
to a young girl or even woman that has been rendered unconscious.

There are several date rape attacks that never go reported because the girl
just can't remember what happened and is too embarrassed to report
anything. Even if a girl feels she may have been raped, it is crucial she
report it, not only is she doing herself good but may be preventing future
attacks.

Rohypnol is scary stuff and it's not as unlikely as one may think. Any girl
who thinks she is safe has already made the number one mistake. This isn't
to say be paranoid about every guy that you meet, but there is no harm in
always being careful:

- - don't ever leave your drink unattended and then return to it:

- - watch out for friends, and:

- - be wary of a guy who's suddenly taken an interest in you when your friend
leaves for the bathroom.

With Spring Break upon us, there will be no shortage of fun or partying.
Ladies, have fun but don't assume just because the guy your chatting with
is cute you're safe. You never know.