Local News -

DATE RAPE DRUG IN CITY, WOMEN BEWARE

SARNIA -- A 23-year-old Sarnia woman says a drug was slipped into her drink
at a local bar recently and she spent hours unconscious in a washroom cubicle.

"It was very scary," says the woman, who insists on anonymity. "I was so
out of it. I thought I was dying right there."

So-called date rape drugs are not common but they are in Sarnia and young
women in particular should be warned, say city police.

Very few ever get reported to police, says Const. Jason Hoover of the
morality department. That's because so few women recall what happened to
them, they are often embarrassed and don't have any idea who might have
drugged them, he said.

But women who have ingested the most common date rape drugs such as GHB
(otherwise known as liquid Ecstacy and Gamma hydroxybutyrate) or Rohypnol
do present at the local hospital. About four or five a year end up at the
Sexual Assault and Domestic Assault Treatment Centre.

The woman -- we'll call her Linda -- who found herself unconscious for
hours, only had one drink when she began to feel sick.

"I was standing at the bar and a guy was beside me who I didn't know," she
said. "I turned to talk to the bartender and he could have put something in
my drink. It was the only time I took my eyes off of it."

Linda, a professional who has lived in Sarnia for years, had heard about
date-rape drugs but never locally.

"I had one drink and it was the weirdest thing," she said. "I walked into
the toilet and began to throw up." Later the doctor at emergency said her
prolonged vomiting may have saved her life.

"I passed right out in the cubicle. My friends started to look for me and
someone even went into the washroom and called my name, but they didn't see
me." She came to three hours later.

"The room was spinning and all I could think about was going home. I had no
judgment and would have gone home with anyone who offered to take me."

Luckily a friend was there and got Linda safely home but her condition was
so bad, they continued on to the hospital.

The doctor said he believed she had been given GHB, a clear, odorless
liquid sometimes called the "love drug." It creates a sense of tranquility,
enhanced sensuality and a loss of inhibition. In large doses, it triggers a
deep sleep.

"I haven't been to a bar since that happened two months ago now," Linda
said. "I never thought it would happen to me.

"I'm really mad. I was going there to dance and have fun with my friends.
This was very, very sneaky."

Her advice to other young women who frequent bars is to stay with friends.
"Don't split up."

That's good advice, says Monica Vautour who co-ordinates the Sexual Assault
and Domestic Assault Treatment Centre.

"People think we live in safe little Sarnia but we have to be aware."

Whether it's alcoholic or not, don't ever leave a drink unattended, Vautour
stressed. "Watch the bartender pour your drink and look after it. Remember
that most assaults occur between people who know each other.

"These things are usually planned," she said. "He comes into the bar or
party, picks his target and comes across as the white knight willing to
help when she feels sick and wants to go home."

Police know date-rape drugs are in the community. "We hear about them,"
Const. Hoover said. "But we don't know how much is out there. Persons
affected by it have no recollection of what happened."

However, local police have made some significant arrests related to the
possession of Ecstacy this year.

More than 350 tablets were seized at one time this past winter.

"Don't accept drinks from strangers," cautions Hoover. "Go in groups and be
familiar with who buys you drinks.

"And never leave one unattended."

[SIDEBAR]

May is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Sexual Assault and Domestic
Assault Treatment Centre suggests reducing risk where alcohol is served by:

- - limiting alcohol consumption;

- - being cautious about consuming different types of alcoholic beverages at
one time;

- - eat before consuming alcohol;

- - always go and leave with a friend; and

If you suspect you have been drugged and/or sexually assaulted, move to a
safe place. Tell someone you trust immediately. Ask them to get you medical
attention or call the police.