Spring Break
Lecturer addresses drugs, rape
Alcohol most common drug used in cases of sexual assault
HAYLEY PETERSON
Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: News
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Date rape drugs are a serious threat to even the most cautious of drinkers, Larry Gourdine, coordinator for Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention, said.
Cover your drink, don't drink from open punch bowls, never accept drinks from anyone you can't trust and keep your eye on the bartender, he said at a Tuesday lecture.
"It's not uncommon for bartenders to be in on it, in conjunction with another person," Gourdine said.
The advice comes at a crucial time for University students, many of whom are planning on traveling and drinking during spring break.
Gourdine said the three main date rape drugs typically used are Rohypnol, GHB and Ketamine.
He said Rohypnol, or "roofies," takes effect 15 to 20 minutes after consumption and lasts about two to three hours. GHB takes effect 30 minutes after consumption and can last up to eight hours.
Symptoms from both drugs include vomiting, dizziness, slurred speech and more critically, severe convulsions and comas.
The third drug, Ketamine, is an animal tranquilizer used for bears weighing up to 300 pounds, Gourdine said.
Erin English, Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention coordinator, said students should fear alcohol more than any date rape drug.
"The most commonly used drug to facilitate sexual assault is alcohol," English said.
She said predators keep track of how many drinks potential victims consume.
Mental impairment takes effect when blood alcohol content reaches around .05, said English, which equals about two drinks for women and three to four for men.
"As the brain is being numbed and deprived of oxygen, you are not able to process long term consequences," English said. "You just take what's in front of you, whether it's a drink, a pill, or anything else for that matter."
English broadened her discussion of alcohol to argue its role in culture. She said excessive use is dangerous, but consuming mass quantities is often glamorized by the media.
She played a video that showed clips of heavy partying in familiar movies and advertisements that made this behavior appear widely acceptable and fun for college students.
In fact, it is. The Harvard School of Public Health reported in 2004 that one in three college students had drinking problems.
These statistics mean that many students will have to deal with situations where friends have consumed too much alcohol.
English said a few signs indicating alcohol poisoning include irregular breathing - fewer than eight breaths per minute or more than 10 seconds between every breath - and an inability to stand or respond.
In such cases she said those supervising someone with alcohol poisoning should never rest someone on his back, but lay him on his side and call an ambulance.
She also debunked a few myths and said food and water are useless in these situations, as well as cold showers.
"Give someone a cold shower and all you have is a clean drunk," English said.
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