RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT DATE RAPE DRUGS

The Sudbury Regional Hospital launched an education campaign last week to
educate residents about sexual assault and date rape drugs.

The Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Treatment Program (DVSAT) introduced a
bar coaster initiative, which focuses on the increased use of sedating
drugs such as benzodiazepines (halcion, valium, ativan, rohypnol) and GHB
(also known as liquid ecstasy).

The bar coaster initiative was developed to raise awareness about the
existence and increased use of date rape drugs in the Sudbury area," says
Mary Carter of the DVSAT program at the hospital. "These types of drugs
seem to be more readily available than once realized. Benzodiazepines are
one of the most frequently prescribed and widely used classes of medication
in the world. Over 50 million people are medically prescribed these drugs
in tablet form each day."

A potential date rape drug can be any substance used to lower sexual
inhibition and enhance the possibility of unwanted sexual contact. Alcohol,
marijuana and cocaine are some of the more commonly suspected substances in
cases where drug misuse is detected.

A number of local bars and restaurants will be distributing the bar
coasters in the next few weeks.