Workshop creates date rape awareness

By Hemesh Patel
Daily Bruin Reporter

To increase the awareness of drugs rapists currently use, the
Center for Women and Men will be holding a workshop today, titled,
“Dangers You Don’t See: Date Rape Drugs.”

“Date rape” drugs can turn up at a party, a club or
even at a rave.

Drugs such as Rohypnol, also known as roofies, and GHB are being
used to assault unknowing victims.

Those who have been under the effect of these drugs have
described feelings of helplessness, in which their arms felt like
they were full of sand as they were being assaulted.

“The workshop will be helpful to both women and
men,” said Tina Oakland, director of the Center for Women and
Men. “About 5 to 10 percent of survivors of rape and date
rape are men and the remainder are women.”

UCLA officials said the number of reported date rape incidents
at the university are very small.

In 1999, eight cases of date rape were reported and in 1998,
there were six who came forward. But these numbers may only be the
tip of the ice berg and counselors are urging all victims to come
forward.

At the center, 60 to 90 students come in for counseling each
year on issues related to sexual violence.

“In general college students are part of a high risk age
group,” said Gail Abarbanel, director of the Santa Monica
Rape Treatment Center. “Acquaintance rape is the most
prevalent form of rape; it is important to get counseling if you
have been raped.”

Students who generally report date rapes are female
underclassmen, according to Nancy Greenstein, director of police
community services.

“Date rape is usually associated with parties involving
alcohol ““ which is the real common denominator,”
Greenstein said.

Friends should not let friends drive drunk and in the same way,
friends should watch out for friends at parties. One person should
be the designated sober friend, Greenstein said.

In addition, counselors urge students not to drink out of open
containers, leave their drinks unattended, take beverages from
strangers, share drinks or drink anything with an unusual taste or
smell.

Rapists are not always strangers, and in many cases, victims
already know their attackers.

“Acquaintance rape is more prevalent and victims feel they
can’t disclose information” about their attackers, said
Mara Green, college campus outreach coordinator of the Santa Monica
Rape Treatment Center.

Green, who will coordinate the presentation on date rape drugs,
will discuss Rohypnol and GHB, two commonly used date rape
drugs.

In addition, she will discuss how narcotics such as Ketamine,
MDMA or ecstasy and what are known as “fry” cigarettes,
cigarettes or marijuana joints dipped in embalming fluid, are used
in date rapes.

A drug popular in raves, MDMA , or ecstasy, is also considered a
date rape drug even though people can choose to take it.

“It can cause a euphoric state, and can also be used to
assist in sexual assaults,” Green said.

Rohypnol has been an illegal drug, since 1996. It is usually
available in tablets and sometimes in liquid form. When it is
dissolved in a drink, it can not be detected by smell or taste.

“The distribution and administration of Rohypnol to
another person without that person’s knowledge and with the
intent to commit a crime of violence is punishable by up to 20
years in prison and a fine,” Oakland said.

The drug can cause drowsiness, confusion and dizziness. If it is
mixed with alcohol or other drugs, it can lead to low blood
pressure, a coma or death.

“Rohypnol is approved in other countries as a sleep aid
and for pre-anesthetic purposes,” Green said.

In addition, “fry” cigarettes can also be used to
assist date rape. Green said they may cause psychosis and can lead
to amnesia.

GHB, has been tested in the past for potential medical uses in
the United States.

The drug is most commonly found as clear, colorless and odorless
liquid and is often distributed at clubs, bars and raves. It is
handed out in containers including sports bottles, water bottles,
baby food jars and shampoo bottles.

It attacks the central nervous system as a depressant and can
cause dizziness, vomiting and sometimes, amnesia. Similar to
Rohypnol, GHB can be fatal if mixed with other drugs or
alcohol.

“Not only do these drugs cause their victims to be ill,
unconscious and incapacitated, they can and do kill those who
ingest them,” Oakland said.

The workshop will be held today at 4 p.m. in Dodd Hall Room 2.
For more information on the Center for Women and Men, call (310)
825-3945. Counselors at the Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center can
be reached at (310) 319-4503.

Common Date Rape Drugs Rohypnol and GHB are two
of the most widely available date rape drugs. Drug
Effects Appearance & Usage
  Rohypnol (Roofies, Mexican Valium, Papas or
Potatoes, Lunch Money) Causes drowsiness, confusion, disorientation
15-30 minutes after ingestion Mixed with alcohol, can produce
extremely low blood pressure, coma, even death Can produce complete
or partial amnesia Tablet/powder Liquid Dissolved in drinks
GHB (gama hydroxybutyrate) (Liquid X, Vita G,
Georgia Home Boy, Soap) Causes dizziness, nausea and vomiting Can
cause memory loss of events following ingestion Clear liquid,
colorless and odorless Crystalline powder Distributed in capfuls,
teaspoons, water bottles, shampoo bottles, paper cups SOURCE: Rape
Treatment Center-UCLA Santa Monica Hospital Original graphic by
ADAM BROWN/Daily Bruin Web adaptation by STEPHEN WONG