However, according to WO Pieter Koekemoer, communication officer of SAPS Mossel Bay, the use of these substances in committing sexual crimes in Mossel Bay is a clear and present danger.
Being Women's Month, the hot topic of date rape was also featured as the discussion on RSG radio's "Praat Saam" recently hosted by radio journalist Lynette Francis.
'My drink was spiked'
Rohypnol is known as a date rape drug. It has been used to rape both men and women. Although similar to Valium, it is about 10 times more potent and can be dissolved in either alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks. The drug is odourless and tasteless.
Rohypnol takes 20-30 minutes to take effect. It has a synergistic effect with alcohol.
When taken with alcohol, Rophypnol can cause severe disorientation, blackouts and a loss of memory. These memory blackouts last up to 8-12 hours.
Initially, Rohypnol causes muscle relaxation, dizziness, and headaches, slows psychomotor responses, and lowers inhibitions. Victims may have difficulty moving or speaking.
Those who have been raped after having ingested Rohypnol, remember feeling very drunk and have reported waking up in strange rooms, with or without clothing, sometimes with a used condom on the bed, occasionally with bruises on their body.
Sadly, they also report having no memory of the happenings of the previous night.
Victims often feel nauseous the day after they have received Rohypnol.
Rohypnol is a physically addictive drug. Repeated use will lead to addiction.
Flunitrazepam tablets are produced by pharmaceutical companies in South Africa as a substitute drug to Rohypnol.
These tablets are reddish-brown to white.
How are drugs administered?
* The victim is at a party or bar and has something to drink. The attacker slips a Rohypnol tablet into the liquid, perhaps when the victim turns their head or leaves their drink to go to the bathroom.
* About 20 minutes after finishing their drink, the victim begins to feel very disoriented, or "drunk." Victims of Rohypnol have often only had one or two drinks, and they remember feeling much more drunk than they should have been.
* The attacker volunteers to escort the 'sick' or 'drunk' person home. Once out of public view, the attacker may take the victim to a hotel, to the victim's home, or elsewhere.
* Several hours later, the victim wakes up feeling very disoriented. They can't remember what happened after they left the party, but they may find evidence of what occurred whilst they were 'asleep'.
* Many victims raped under the influence of Rohypnol are unsure whether or not they were raped, because they have no memory of the event. It can take several days to piece together a story from eyewitness reports.
Legal considerations
Urine tests are done to test for Rohypnol. However, the drug can only be detected for up to 72 hours after ingestion. Should you suspect a friend having been raped after ingesting Rohypnol, it is important to get a urine test as soon as possible.
Rape crisis centres and the SAPS are best equipped to handle any testing.
"It is a crime to give a controlled substance to anyone without their knowledge, with the intent of committing a violent crime, such as rape. Violation of this law is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment," says Wo Koekemoer.
Reducing Your Risk
- Never leave your drink unattended. If you have to go to the bathroom, either finish your drink or throw it away.
- Beverages that come in sealed containers, such as unopened cans or bottles are much safer than mixed drinks.
- If you order a mixed drink, watch the person who mixes it.
- Do not take any open beverages, including alcohol, from someone you do not know well and trust.
- Never drink anything out of a common punch bowl.
- If someone offers to buy you a drink, go up to the bar with them to accept the drink.
- Subscribe to the "buddy system": always party with one or more friends, and keep an eye on each other. If someone begins to appear 'too drunk', get them to a safe place. More than one attempted Rohypnol rape has been prevented by watchful friends.
The Washington Post reported on Tuesday, 26 August that four college students claim they've come up with a solution to prevent the occurrence of drug induced date rape.
Undergraduate students at North Carolina State University – Ankesh Madan, Stephen Grey, Tasso Von Windheim and Tyler Confrey-Maloney – created a nail polish called 'Undercover Colors' that changes colour in the presence of common date rape drugs like Rohypnol, Xanax, and GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid).
To see if one of the drugs has been slipped into her drink, a woman has to stir it with her finger.
"We wanted to focus on preventive solutions, especially those that could be integrated into products that women already use," Madan was quoted as saying. According to Madan, the product developers have all been close to someone who has been through the terrible experience of date rape, hence they began to focus on finding a way to help prevent this crime.
ARTICLE: CORNELLE CARSTENS, MOSSEL BAY ADVERTISER JOURNALIST
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