In response to Ms. Lincoln's recent column on date rape drugs, we felt it pertinent to respond to some of the claims that were made since the Wellness Center is the primary provider of free sexual health materials on campus.
The date rape drug detection kits that Ms. Lincoln describes are not very commonly used as they have been found to be very unreliable. Drink Safe Technology manufacture the test kits and have been retailing them since 2001. However, a study at the Michigan State Police Crime Lab in 2002 demonstrated that the kits failed to consistently detect ketamine and gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), two of the most commonly used date rape drugs, which the company claims the strips will detect. In response to these findings, Drink Safe admitted that their product should be used as a useful prevention tool, but may not be completely reliable. The company has continued to market them to universities since 2002, but few health promotion professionals have bought into them due to the complete false sense of security they may provide.
Instead of providing these unreliable detection kits, we would rather spend the time and money educating students about how to avoid date rape and how to recognize the symptoms if they think they have been poisoned. We are also working on plans to introduce regular programming in the spring semester that will address educating potential perpetrators of rape on how to prevent it, rather than the onus being on the potential victims.
We'd like to reiterate that the most commonly used date rape drug is alcohol itself! It goes without saying that any AU student that is under 21 should be staying away from alcohol, period. However, any student that is over 21 and chooses to drink off-campus, or that chooses to drink illegally should know their limits and avoid drinking in excess. By becoming intoxicated to the point where they have no sense of what's happening around them, any male or female puts their self at heightened risk of any crime (sexual assault, mugging, physical attack), even though it is not their fault. To avoid the risk of having a drink spiked with a date rape drug, students should only go to parties or clubs with trusted friends. When ordering a drink they should watch the bartender make it and reject it if they feel anything unusual was done to it. After receiving the drink it should never be left unattended and you should watch to make sure nobody nearby drops anything into it. If a drug is placed in your drink you will begin to notice some effects in as little as 5-20 minutes, but the effects may last from 5-12 hours. Symptoms usually include confusion, loss of coordination, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, chills or sweating, and trouble moving or speaking. If you think your drink may have a drug in it and feel any of these symptoms, find a trusted friend and call 911 immediately, or if you're on campus call Public Safety at 202-885-3636. Make sure you have a trusted friend or police officer with you while waiting for medical help to arrive or you could be at risk of becoming the victim of a potential attacker!
If you experience date rape you should contact one of the above immediately to report the crime. Avoid urinating or bathing so that complete tests can be completed for an investigation. Remember that sexual assault is never the survivor's fault! For help or support call the DC Rape Crisis Center at 202-333-RAPE or the Wellness Center can provide you with appropriate help and resources at 202-885-3276.
Alan Duffy Health Educator, Wellness Center
