DATE RAPE DRUG MAKES THE ROUNDS

Nanaimo Mounties are urging young people to be vigilant at parties and
nightclubs amid reports "date rape" drugs are being slipped into drinks.

Powerful sedative drugs such as gamma hydroxybutyric acid, otherwise known
as GHB and Rohypnol, are sometimes sold at rave parties for their
intoxicating effects, and can easily be used to drug unsuspecting victim,
rapidly rendering them unconscious.

The drugs are colourless, odourless and nearly tasteless.

Within 15 minutes, the victim becomes heavily impaired, sleepy and usually
passes out, only to awaken several hours later with little or no memory of
what happened.

"The biggest problem we were having was people not knowing they were dosed
and having amnesia," says Const. Beth Blackburn, Nanaimo RCMP detachment's
drug awareness co-ordinator.

"Someone would dose them then have their way with them."

Blackburn says she's taken several such complaints, but in each case, there
was not enough evidence to make an arrest.

To complicate matters, the drug is metabolized within 24 hours, making
detection difficult.

"We've had a couple cases where it's been suspected. It's something to be
aware of, no doubt about it."

Several complaints have also been reported recently to RCMP in the Comox
Valley.

Prevention is the best protection, says Blackburn.

"If you have a drink and you put it down in the bar, don't pick it back up
and drink it," she says. "You won't be able to detect it."

She advises young people - especially females - to use the buddy system,
and watch each others' drinks when the other person leaves the table.

COMMON DRUGS

The illegal drug gamma-hydroxybuteric acid (GHB) is the date rape drug of
choice today.

It's also common in the rave scene, where it's sold as Liquid X, Liquid
Ecstasy, 'G', Scoop, and Grievous Bodily Harm.

It can be easily produced from common cleaning fluids and appears as a
white powder, or more often an odorless, clear liquid. In low doses it
creates a mild drunken feeling. Higher does cause immediate intoxication.

Death can result when it's mixed with alcohol, or another depressant drug.

Until recently, the prescription sleeping pill Rohypnol was the preferred
date rape drug.

Made by Hoffman LaRoche, Rohypnol is also sold under the generic name
Flunitrazepam. On the street it is often called Roofies, Roachies or La Rocha.

The white, dime-shaped tabs looks similar to aspirin. The street version
may have a brownish-pink tint.

Medical experts say a two-milligram dose taken orally causes rapid, deep
sedation.

within 20 TO 30 minutes. Peak effects are within two hours, and sleep may
last up to eight to 12 hours.

Once sold in one- and two-milligram tasteless, white tablets and ampoules,
manufactures stopped making 2mg tablets in 1998, and started adding a
substance that turns liquids blue when dissolved.