Q: What’s the date rape drug?

A: This is a very common question during the third day of my seminar when I discuss drugs.  Although the drugs Rohypnol and GHB have been dubbed the “date rape” drugs because of their blackout and loss of consciousness attributes, alcohol is by far the most significant drug present when a woman is raped or sexual assaulted.

Precautions can be taken of course.  If you decide that you will drink, it would be advisable to watch your drink being made.  Another strategy is to politely refuse the first drink and take some time to explore the drinking environment.  Is there one room where drinks are being made?  Who is making the drinks?  How are the drinks being made?  Things to avoid would be punches and other sugary drinks.  Anything with lots of fruit can be dangerous too.  Fruit often disguises the amount of alcohol in the drink and the sugary taste can promote faster drinking.   Often there is one room in the house where the heavy drinking is going on (Kitchen).  Avoiding the room and moving around will increase the chances you don’t get roped into drinking games other high-risk drinking practices.

Not drinking of course is the safest strategy and one I endorse.  Just think of the troubles you are avoiding: legal, health, reputation, lying to the parents, policy violations at school, athletic training rules violations, and more.  If you do decide to drink, some of the risks can be lessened by eating, drinking lots of water between drinks, pacing yourself, girls should not try to keep up with boys, avoiding drinking games, avoiding shots, and definitely not drinking and driving.

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