Date rape drugs surface at Fanshawe
Date rape drugs, which are traditionally associated with dosing women, have turned up in men's drinks on and off Fanshawe's campus.
Pat Coughlan, Supervisor of Campus and Emergency Services at Fanshawe, said on January 11 an Out Back Shack employee had his drink contaminated.
“A bartender had a blue pill dropped into his drink,” explained Coughlan. “It was a massive stimulant that would have caused him to freak out.”
Fortunately, the bartender spotted the pill before consuming the spiked non-alcoholic beverage.
According to Steve Sullivan, manager of the Out Back Shack, the “massive stimulant” was tested and found to be Dexedrine, an amphetamine that stimulates the central nervous system in similar ways as cocaine.
Sullivan said in the past the Shack has posted signs warning patrons of the threat of tampered beverages, but that led to fear mongering.
“It's not a game or anything anyone should be treating lightly,” said Sullivan, who added that the Shack staff is trained to watch drinks and be aware of odd behaviour.
Coughlan also said two male Fanshawe students suspected they were slipped Hallucinogens when they started to feel symptoms on their way home from a bar close to the college.
“They were decent, normal guys. Not into drugs at all,” Coughlan said about the male students. “They had a bad trip.”
Linda Armstrong, a training and outreach coordinator at the London Sexual Assault Centre, said women ages 16-24 are typically targeted with date-rape drugs like Rohypnol (Roofies), GHB (Ecstasy) and Ketamine (Special K).
“I'm still confused as to why they are targeting guys,” questioned Sullivan.
Coughlan speculated that the people dispensing the drugs could want to victimize, rob or attack the men.
They want to watch them suffer,” he said.
Campus Security Services at the college advice students to always watch their drinks, look out for friends, drink slowly and never drink anything that smells, tastes or looks strange, whether they are at a bar, pub or house party.
“If someone has it in their mind they want to hurt you - they will hurt you,” Armstrong said. “Generally you have to protect yourself.”
Most date-rape associated drugs, like Roofies, Ecstasy and Special K, are odorless, tasteless, colourless and work within minutes of ingestion.
“Be smart because it can happen to anyone,” warned Coughlan. “It's just a quick drop into the drink.”
Pat Coughlan, Supervisor of Campus and Emergency Services at Fanshawe, said on January 11 an Out Back Shack employee had his drink contaminated.
“A bartender had a blue pill dropped into his drink,” explained Coughlan. “It was a massive stimulant that would have caused him to freak out.”
Fortunately, the bartender spotted the pill before consuming the spiked non-alcoholic beverage.
According to Steve Sullivan, manager of the Out Back Shack, the “massive stimulant” was tested and found to be Dexedrine, an amphetamine that stimulates the central nervous system in similar ways as cocaine.
Sullivan said in the past the Shack has posted signs warning patrons of the threat of tampered beverages, but that led to fear mongering.
“It's not a game or anything anyone should be treating lightly,” said Sullivan, who added that the Shack staff is trained to watch drinks and be aware of odd behaviour.
Coughlan also said two male Fanshawe students suspected they were slipped Hallucinogens when they started to feel symptoms on their way home from a bar close to the college.
“They were decent, normal guys. Not into drugs at all,” Coughlan said about the male students. “They had a bad trip.”
Linda Armstrong, a training and outreach coordinator at the London Sexual Assault Centre, said women ages 16-24 are typically targeted with date-rape drugs like Rohypnol (Roofies), GHB (Ecstasy) and Ketamine (Special K).
“I'm still confused as to why they are targeting guys,” questioned Sullivan.
Coughlan speculated that the people dispensing the drugs could want to victimize, rob or attack the men.
They want to watch them suffer,” he said.
Campus Security Services at the college advice students to always watch their drinks, look out for friends, drink slowly and never drink anything that smells, tastes or looks strange, whether they are at a bar, pub or house party.
“If someone has it in their mind they want to hurt you - they will hurt you,” Armstrong said. “Generally you have to protect yourself.”
Most date-rape associated drugs, like Roofies, Ecstasy and Special K, are odorless, tasteless, colourless and work within minutes of ingestion.
“Be smart because it can happen to anyone,” warned Coughlan. “It's just a quick drop into the drink.”
