Mounties are investigating multiple reports from women that were allegedly drugged while socializing at a Prince George licensed establishment.
While police are not releasing details about the alleged incidents, they announced the investigation after social media posts began circulating within the community.
RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass says some of the posts indicate there may be other alleged victims.
Shellie O'Brien, who leads the sexual and reproductive health unit with Northern Health, says there are three main drugs seen in drugging or "date rape" incidents, each with severe reactions.
"The drugs that have been used for date rape are GHB, Rohypnal, Ketamine and alcohol," she says. "Alcohol is probably the most used date rape drug as it impairs judgment, reasoning, and the ability to evaluate risk."
Here are the descriptions of each drug mentioned and their profiles:
GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate)
- Clear
- Odourless
- Typically a liquid (can also be seen as a white grainy powder)
- Can be added to a beverage without the person's knowledge
- Low doses relaxes the person and gives the same feeling of drinking alcohol
- Higher doses can cause headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, being conscious but not able to move, loss of consciousness
- Compounded with use of other drugs or alcohol
"The thing with GHB is it doesn't say in a person's system very long," O'Brien says. "It isn't detected easily with a drug screening test. Some people take these drugs for recreational purposes and going from a dose that is going to give you feelings that you want to be in trouble, is not hard."
Rohypnol
- Tasteless
- Colourless
- Odourless
- Comes in a tablet that can be crushed and dissolved in a drink
- One tablet can make effects last eight to twelve hours
- Tablet is small enough not to be visible when dissolving
- When mixed with alcohol it can cause
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Slurred speech
- Loss of motor coordination and judgment
- Can cause amnesia where the victim can't remember they were under the influence of the drug
Ketamine
- Liquid
- Snorted or injected
- Causes:
- Tingling sensations
- Distorts a person's perception of his or her's body and surroundings
- A person can fall into a dream-like state
- Open mouth
- Wide pupils
- Rigid posture
- Withdraw socially
- Say bizarre things
- Delirium
- Amnesia
- Impaired motor function
- High blood pressure
- Severe breathing problems
Northern Health emphasizes all drugs that impair a person(s) judgment and consent for sexual activity. It is a crime to commit a sexual encounter without coherent permission from the other party but also has long-lasting effects on the victim.
"All of the drugs inhibit a persons ability to resist a sexual assault or to give consent," she says. "If a person is intoxicated — it doesn't matter what caused the intoxication — they can't give consent for sex. Not even a previous consensual sex entitles anyone to perform sexual acts. Date rape is a betrayal of trust and causes long-lasting emotional injuries. It is about power control and anger, not romance."
Ways to stay safe while drinking from Northern Health include:
- Avoiding drugs and alcohol so you are not impaired
- Limit alcohol intake
- Drink responsibly
- Leave social events with friends and not with someone you just met or don't know well
- ALWAYS watch your drink and never leave it unattended
- Don't accept beverages from someone you don't trust or know
- Look out for your friend(s)
- If you go somewhere alone, notify people close to you of your plans
- Notice signs of intoxication and don't let your friend(s) go home with someone they don't know
O'Brien says if you believe you have been drugged and/or raped, visit your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room. Primary care provides no-cost emergency contraception as well as prophylactic treatments in-house.
Police in Prince George is asking anyone that may have witnessed these alleged incidents, or if you have any information, to contact the detachment on the non-emergency line at 250-561-3300.
