How to protect yourself from date rape drugs

Photo Illustration by Kylee Weber

One in 13 college students have been drugged according to U.S. Campuses. The most common drug that college students encounter is roofie (Rohypnol), however there have been cases of other drugs. According to American Addiction Center Resources, 44% of men and 56% of women have unknowingly had their drink spiked or drugged. In this day and age both men and women must protect themselves while out consuming alcohol. College students tend to be the main target for predators. When being roofied, 42% of the time it is from someone known to the victim, such as a friend, coworker or classmate. 50% of the time, it is from a stranger they just met at the party or bar. 

Signs of being drugged vary from person to person. The most common signs that one has been drugged is feeling drunk, without drinking a big amount of alcohol, blacking out, slurring of words, lack of balance and losing consciousness. These signs can become different depending on the drug that is being used. However, if one witnesses these signs from a friend or a loved one, they should be rushed to the hospital as soon as possible. Just a friendly reminder to those who are underage: no, even if you’ve been drinking, you will not get in trouble when reporting an emergency. The hospital puts your health first and they are understanding. 

Do Not Accept Alcohol from Anyone. 

If someone at a party or bar offers you a drink of alcohol, do not take it. This is the most important rule. I know we are in college and alcohol is a big temptation, especially if it is free, but do not accept it. Spend the five dollars on your own drink or simply bring your own. If you are at a party and they have alcoholic punch or drinks, do not drink it. There are many people at the party, not everyone is watching the punch the whole time. You won’t know what is in it until it is too late.  

Put your thumb over your lid/straw 

This is the rule of thumb. You always have something covering your drink at all times. It only takes you looking away or talking to a friend to have someone slip something in your drink. If you suspect that someone has put something in it, throw it away and get a new one. Always have a thumb over your straw. Even though it is a smaller opening, many people get good at drugging people and they find new ways of putting it in. If you are drinking out of a can, have your hand over the opening when you are not drinking it. Be aware of your surroundings and do not trust anyone. Which brings me to my next rule. 

Do not trust anyone with your drink 

Never put your fate in someone else's hands. If you have to go to the bathroom, do not give your drink to your friend, take it with you. As disgusting as that may sound, it is your safest bet and you know where it is at all times. Even if you trust your friend with your life, it takes them being distracted for someone to be able to slip drugs in it for you to drink. Do not ask anyone to go fill up your drink or get you a new one. Many predators have gotten skilled at getting lids back on tight so you won't notice. Go the extra mile and get your own drink so you know where it has been and who has touched it. 

Go in a group 

I cannot express this enough; never go to a party by yourself, always go in a big group of people you can count on and watch over you. This can go in two directions –  you can be the one aware of your friends actions and response, or you are the one being watched over. If you are watching over your friends, watch how much they drink and their actions and response to alcohol. If you have a gut feeling or even a thought that something could have happened or might, get out of there. Protect yourself, protect your friends and protect each other. If you are the one being watched, communicate to your friends; if you do not feel right, tell your designated driver; if someone has been giving you the wrong vibes throughout the night, tell your friends that everyone needs to leave. The key while at parties and consuming alcohol is to communicate with one another. 

Send your location 

Sending your location to friends or roommates is one of the smartest things you can do before you head out. If your friends are able to see where you are, they are able to find you if anything was to go wrong. If you and your friends are anything like my friend group, we communicate, probably too much. We tell each other where we are going, we send updates, if we leave our designated spot we tell them. If you see a friend's location that is not right, call them. If they do not respond, go find them. If you ever find yourself in that spot where something has gone wrong, remember that your friends know where you are and they can track it. 

It will be okay… 

My last bit of advice is if you ever find yourself in a position where the worst possible scenario has happened, it will be okay. I know hearing that from a total stranger is not as meaningful, but it will be okay. You will have support, you will have protection, you will be okay. I can’t stress this enough, but trust your gut feeling. If you have a slightest thought that something happened, you need to tell someone. There are many people you can reach out too, coaches, friends, family, roommates, doctors, or police. Everyone that you can reach out to will be there for you every step of the way.