It’s not commonly reported in our community but the Mount Pleasant Police Department received a report that someone had a drink tampered with while out with friends. Although this article is long, it's an important message to read.
When we receive this type of report, it is usually hours or days later after someone has gone to an emergency room reporting symptoms related to a drug overdose. The accusation usually involves the belief from a victim that someone may have added a substance in their drink. Toxicology test usually confirms the offense. Statements from the victim identifies a possible offense location. This type of case is hard to prove unless we can identify who tampered with a drink.
In these reported cases the investigations usually lead us to bars, restaurants with bars or to a residential party where alcohol was served. There are several drugs that can cause someone to become drowsy, have a lack of memory and even become lethargic. These drugs are silent and invisible and when hidden in a drink, they may be completely undetectable. Yet, they are potent and destructive. They can seriously harm or even kill you.
How Does it Happen?
You're at a party, a club, or a social event. You're with people you know but you leave a drink unattended. Someone secretly drops a drug in your drink. When the drug dissolves it may be colorless and odorless. It may also be tasteless.
As you consume the drink, the drug takes effect. You're now in a weakened, helpless, or unconscious state. You may become so incapacitated that you can't escape or resist advances of someone or even call out for help. You could even be sexually assaulted. When the drug wears off, you may not remember what happened or who participated because the drug often causes amnesia.
This may sound like an old story - "spiking the punch" or "slipping her a Mickey". What is new is that these "new" drugs are especially dangerous, when combined with alcohol or other drugs, the mixture can be lethal.
The physical effects of the drug may be noticeable within twenty to thirty minutes after ingestion. It can cause drowsiness, confusion, impaired motor skills, dizziness, impaired judgment, and reduced levels of consciousness. You may look and act like someone who is drunk. Your speech may be slurred and you may have difficulty walking.
Signs That You May Have Been Drugged
• If you feel intoxicated after having a small amount of alcohol then you should be concerned about what you ingested.
• If you wake up very hung over, feeling "fuzzy", experiencing memory lapse, and can't account for a period of time.
• If you remember taking a drink but cannot recall what happened for a period of time after you consumed the drink.
• If you feel as though someone had sex with you but you can't remember any or all of the incident.
What to do if it Happens to You
• Get to a safe place
• Get help immediately. Call the police. CALL 9-1-1!
• Ask a trusted friend to stay with you and assist you in getting the help you need.
• Get medical care
• Go to a hospital emergency department as soon as possible for an examination and evidence collection.
• Request that the hospital take a urine sample for drug toxicology testing to be done by your law enforcement agency's crime lab. A special test must be conducted to detect Rohypnol or other suspected drugs in a urine specimen.
• Preserve as much physical evidence as possible. Do not urinate, shower, bathe, douche, or throw away the clothing you were wearing during the incident. If possible, save any other materials that might provide evidence, such as the glass that held your drink.
Taking Care of Yourself
• If you have a drink, drink responsibly.
• Don't drink beverages that you did not open yourself.
• Don't share or exchange drinks with anyone.
• Don't take a drink from a punch bowl.
• Don't drink from a container that is being passed around.
• If someone offers you a drink from the bar at a club or a party, accompany the person to the bar to order your drink, watch the drink being poured, and carry the drink yourself.
• Don't leave your drink unattended while talking, dancing, using the restroom, or making a phone call.
• If you realize that your drink has been left unattended, discard it.
• Don't drink anything that has an unusual taste or appearance (e.g., salty taste, excessive foam, unexplained residue).
Watching Out for Your Friends.
Have a plan to periodically check up on each other.
If one of your friends appears very intoxicated, gets sick after drinking a beverage, passes out and is difficult to awaken, seems to be having difficulty breathing, or is behaving in an uncharacteristic way, take steps to ensure your friend's safety. If necessary, call 9-1-1 for emergency medical assistance and file a police report.
This can happen anywhere. Stay
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