» Alcohol & Drugs Crisis Prevention

Rohypnol:
Rohypnol is used to produce heavy sedation, lowered inhibitions, and anterograde amnesia. After the drug wears off, users may find themselves unable to remember what happened while under its influence. It is typically placed in victims' drinks without their knowledge. Once it is dissolved, it is nearly undetectable. 
Although it is illegal to manufacture or possess in the U.S., it is legal in many other countries. Rohypnol can be detected in some toxicology screenings up to 4 days after ingestion. It remains in the urine between 48 to 96 hours after ingestion and in the blood between 12 and 24 hours. 

GHB:
GHB is used in drug facilitated rapes because of its powerful sedative properties. It is mixed into victims' drinks to mask the salty taste. GHB is rapidly absorbed and metabolized by the body. Detectable levels may remain in the urine for approximately 8 to 12 hours after ingestions. It is NOT detected in routine blood or urine screens; therefore is important to specifically request a GHB screen as soon after the assault as possible. 

Other Drugs:
There are many other drugs that can sedate and/or incapacitate a person. Please be careful. 

Alcohol:
Alcohol is the number one date rape drug. Beware of the person who continues to buy you drinks or gets you to drink excessively, especially if the person is not consuming alcohol. 

Alcohol Poisoning is a Real Danger

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Drinking too much alcohol within a brief period of time can put a person at risk.

A person can die from acute alcohol intoxication (alcohol poisoning).  Don't leave the person alone to sleep off the after-effects of alcohol consumption - especially if you think the person has consumed an excessive amount.

Generally, when a person has consumed too much alcohol, the body tries to get rid of it by vomiting or the person may pass out (which doesn't allow any more consumption of this central nervous system depressant). During drinking games (and other activities of this type) large quantities of alcohol are consumed in a short period of time.  Too much alcohol in the bloodstream is extremely dangerous and can result in death. 

The following are some of the symptoms of alcohol poisoning:

• unconsciousness with very irregular, shallow breathing
• the skin may be pale, cold and/or clammy
• the person may vomit while unconscious and may not awaken after vomiting

Drinking games, chugging alcohol and 'shots' are dangerous activities that can result in serious consequences.

PLEASE, do not engage in these activities.

What You Should Know

• Alcohol has been implicated in as many as 90% of campus sexual assault incidents.
• Alcohol plays a major role in 95% of violent crimes on university campuses.
• People with alcohol and substance abuse problems often don't realize that they have a problem.
• Alcohol abuse and other substance abuse contribute to serious physical, social and psychological problems on our campuses.
• Alcohol and drug use are often associated with high risk behaviors. The use of substances can have negative effects upon the user's quality of life, including relationships, academic achievements and career goals.

Excessive alcohol use among university students is a public health concern affecting not only drinking students, but non-drinking peers who may be subjected to arguments, insults, vandalism, unwanted sexual advancements, disrupted sleep, taking care of severely intoxicated roommates and interrupted study time. 

Students who drink excessively are at an increased risk of experiencing accidents, assaults contracting an STD/STI, alcohol poisoning, poor academic performance, and myriad other consequences.

Despite prevention efforts, approximately 42% of first-year students report at least one episode of heavy drinking and a nationwide survey found that college students reported an average 72 drinking days and 44 heavy drinking days.

Research results indicate that the more students reported that their parents knew about the ways in which they spent their free time and the more their parents asked about their free time activities, the less a student tended to associate with heavy drinking peers in college AND the less they drank themselves.