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According
to Roofie, an organisation set up specifically to provide advice
about drug rape, reported victims of this crime have risen by 60
per cent in the last two years and that figure is is still rising.
Roofies
is the street name for the group of drugs commonly used to incapacitate
victims of drug rape and GHB (another drug rape drug) is
readily available from sex shops, gyms and over the Internet. It
is also legal in the UK!
There
are several other known drugs that are used most of which are in
the benzodiazepines group. The most well known and commonly
used is flunetrazepam (Rohypnol™).
What's
in YOUR drink
Do
you really know what’s in your drink? Have you kept it with
you or have you put it down? Did you buy it yourself or did someone
else buy it for you?
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| Spike
the hedgehog was developed by school children to raise awareness
about drug rape |
Sadly,
we now have to consider these questions as more and more cases of
drug rape are reported.
And
it's not just happening in this country. British holidaymakers have
reported being drugged abroad. In fact there were 358 cases in 2001.
As
with most serious crime however there is little likelihood that
it will happen to you. But you should still follow these simple,
common sense rules to protect yourself:
- Don't
leave your drinks unattended and don't accept drinks from strangers.
- Watch
what you're drinking. Your judgment is impaired by alcohol as
well as drugs.
- Be
aware of your alcohol tolerance.
- If
you feel strange after a couple of drinks when you'd normally
be fine find your friends and go somewhere 'safe'.
- Get
someone you TRUST to help you home and ask them to stay until
the effects have worn off.
- If
you're on your own, r with someone you don't really know go the
club manager or pub landlord and ask for help. Wait somewhere
safe while they phone your parents or a friend.
- DON'T
let a stranger help you - it could have been them that spiked
your drink.
The
symptoms of these drugs vary but victims report blurred vision and
temporary memory loss. The effects can start as quickly as 15 minutes
after the drink is taken.
The
effects of the drugs can however be so severe that victims forget
everything that happens.
And
it's not just women who are at risk. More than 10 per cent of reported
victims of drug rape are men and 10 per cent of all reported victims
are from the southwest!
If
you want more help and information please visit the Drug Rape Trust
website at: www.dr-ugged.co.uk
Make
sure you visit our club guide
|
Drug
Rape is on the increase and it doesn't just happen in this country.
Last year there were more than 350 British victims abroad!
