Date rape / club drugs are on Prince Edward Island and threaten to remain an ongoing problem. These drugs are dangerous in terms of health and they can render potential victims unable to protect themselves.
Date or acquaintance rape happens on Prince Edward Island. This form of sexual assault includes situations where a person is forced to engage in any form of sexual activity against their will by someone they know, such as a friend, co-worker, neighbour, classmate, or romantic interest.
A committee has been formed to address this growing concern. Consisting of the PEI Rape Crisis Centre, Women’s Network, Status of Women, RCMP, UPEI Security, Charlottetown City Police, Summerside City Police and the PEI Liquor Control Commission, this committee plans to undertake a public education campaign, including interviews with the media and producing items such as stickers, coasters, and posters. These publications on date rape and club drugs will be designed for and distributed to drinking establishments across PEI and to other interested parties.
The committee considers date rape / club drugs as a community issue. The responsibility to prevent the use of predatory drugs belongs to the community at large, the drinking establishments, men, and women. This broad-based approach, the committee believes, will create more effective change than the historical emphasis on educating women to alter their behaviour to prevent assault. In the spirit of this strategy, the committee will be exploring training options for drinking establishment staff in conjunction with education aimed at both men and women.
Across North America, there is a growing trend for attackers to use date rape or club drugs to sexually assault and sometimes to steal from or physically assault a victim. The use of drugs to sexually assault has been reported through the rape crisis line on PEI.
The date rape drugs, Rohypnol, GHB, and Ketamine, are used to assault people at clubs, house parties, bars, and on dates. These drugs are easily dissolved in any sort of liquid, including alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and juices. Often these substances do not alter the taste, smell, or colour of the drink. Date rape drugs cause dizziness, blackouts, sleepiness, forgetfulness, immobility, increased intoxication and, depending on the dose, may even cause coma or death.
The club drugs, ecstasy and methamphetamines, are no less dangerous. While both ecstasy and methamphetamines can create a sense of euphoria, these drugs have serious negative side effects. Ecstasy can cause increased blood pressure, blurred vision, paranoia, depression, memory impairment, sleep disturbances, and confusion. Methamphetamines can cause dizziness, hallucinations, increased heart rate and blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, death or can induce violent behaviour. Mixing any club or date rape drug with other substances, including alcohol, can cause dangerous interactions.
For more information, contact Kelly Robinson, Community Liaison & Projects Coordinator, of the PEI Rape Crisis Centre at 894-5510.