One of the most common fears of travelers, and especially women traveling alone, is that they could be victims of rape abroad. Being aware of your surroundings and observing that something does not slip into your drink is an important part of preventing this type of assault. Fortunately, date rape is an extremely rare occurrence, but it is still something to be aware of and avoid while traveling.
The more you know about date rape drugs, how to recognize them, and what to do if you think you’ve been drugged, the better.
Roofies, R2 or cockroaches
Rohypnol (the brand name for Flunitrazepam), or a “roofie” among other nicknames, is a benzodiazepine, a prescription pill similar to Valium, but ten times stronger. It has been illegal in the United States since 1996. But that doesn’t mean it is rare. Rohypnol has been widely abused in Texas, where it is known as “R-2” or “Roaches.”
Roofies come in 0.5 mg or 1.0 mg tablets, which are then ground up and mixed into drinks. Older tablets look a lot like aspirin and cost between $ 1.00 and $ 5.00; The newer pills, which contain a blue tint, are olive green in color, making them easier to recognize.
How rooftops affect you
Roofs cause sedation, a feeling of extreme intoxication, and amnesia. For that reason, Rohypnol is often the drug of choice for people seeking to commit sexual assault, giving it the name »the date rape drug«. It is not easily detected if someone drops a pill in your drink, so this is the typical method used.
After consuming the drug, the effects begin to appear after about 20 to 30 minutes. You will begin to feel that you are very drunk, that you have difficulty speaking or moving, and that you may pass out. The maximum effects of the drug occur two hours after ingestion, and the effects can last up to 12 hours.
Even if you don’t pass out, you will find that you don’t remember anything that happened while you were under the influence of the drug. In addition to making you vulnerable to sexual assault, roofs can also lead to seizures, coma, liver failure, and even death from respiratory depression.
Protection against dating rape drugs
Fortunately, there is no reason to feel desperate. There are many things you can do to protect your beverage from being added. Here are some tips for travelers who are afraid to face this on the road.
Watch for a flavor change
When dissolved in alcohol, ceilings give off a bitter taste. If your drink suddenly begins to taste strange, different, and / or bitter, immediately abandon it. Tell someone you trust that you suspect someone put something in your drink, so they can keep an eye on you at all times.
If you find yourself in an awkward situation and standing next to the person you suspect may have drugged your drink, try pouring it discreetly under the table or behind your back, or pretend to drink it without letting it enter your mouth. However, keep in mind that you will most likely be being watched to verify that you are consuming your drink, so be very subtle when pouring it.
This is also a great clue that someone has increased their drinking. If someone is very interested in how much they have drunk and is concerned that they are not drinking enough, immediately stop drinking.
Be on the lookout for blue drinks
When placed in a light colored drink, newer roofs will turn the drink bright blue. If your water or gin and tonic turns blue, dump it out and be especially vigilant; Someone tried to drug you Older ceilings will not change the color of your drink, so you should not rely solely on this detection method. And, let someone know what happened.
This also offers an excellent form of prevention. If you order clear drinks, you will most likely be less objective, as the attacker will not be able to effectively disguise the fact that they have added something to your drink.
Be alert for sudden feelings of intoxication
If you suddenly feel unusually drunk after a small amount of alcohol, ask for help quickly (preferably not the strange man next to you at the bar who may have given you the roof) as you could have only a few minutes of alert behavior. left. Get a friend together and share your concerns – they can take care of you if something happens.
Do not accept drinks from anyone
It can be tempting to hang out with a group of new friends you just met in a hostel room, but be careful if someone offers to go to the bar for a drink. Join them there so you can watch your drink being poured or insist on buying your own drink. Don’t accept a drink from someone you don’t know unless you’ve seen a bartender open or pour it.
Don’t leave your drink unattended
Always watch your drink at parties and bars. If you leave your drink unattended, get a fresh one to be safe. It is best to have it in hand at all times. If you need to go to the bathroom, ask a friend to watch your drinking for you.
Buy drinks in bottles
Even if you’re spinning around with your drink in hand, it’s easy for someone to sneak up behind you and drop a pill into your glass without you noticing. Instead, try having a bottled drink. That way, you can easily hold your thumb over the top of the bottle, preventing anyone from dropping something into it.
Go out with friends
Have a friend drive to and from a party or bar with you to lower your chances of being taken advantage of. If they will take you home, they will not leave without you.
If you’re in a new city and looking to explore the nightlife, ask in the hostel’s common room to see if anyone is willing to hang out with you. They may not be friends, but having someone to take care of you improves your safety.
Keep your cell phone charged
Make sure you have a fully charged cell phone when you go out for the night. Find out why we recommend traveling with an unlocked phone, it is especially important in these circumstances. You can call the police or go online to message your friends if you are in trouble.
On top of that, you can look up the route you will have to take to get back to your hostel or hotel on your phone when you get to the bar, so that you can follow you home if something happens and you don’t remember how to get back.
Be on the lookout for anyone who behaves strangely
Take care of your friends too. If they seem unusually drunk and “out of it,” they may have been given a drug. Do not leave them alone at any time if you are worried about them, and bring them to your accommodation as soon as possible.
If you suspect that you have been raped
If you suspect that you have been sexually assaulted, do not shower, shower, or destroy any potential evidence. Go to the hospital immediately so you have evidence of the assault. Pressing charges is a big decision; If you decide to do so, a visit to the hospital after an alleged assault will provide you with a sample of evidence.
Get support to help you through this traumatic event. Certainly, you should tell friends you trust, and you should consider getting professional advice.
