Wes: We have discussed the problem of date rape in this column before. Unfortunately, we are now seeing a significant increase in the incidence of this problem, both in the high school and area college populations. We want to encourage parents and teens who are reading this column to take greater precautions. The reality is that parents cannot expect to know every moment of their teenager’s life, especially when they are 16 to 18 and eventually move out for work or college. I suggest parents go back over this topic with their teens or clip this column and “fridge it,” so kids are fully able to protect themselves. CNN ran a very recent story on this, and I’ve posted the link and several others at www.ftimidwest.com. Here’s the lowdown.

Most “date rape” drugs are placed secretly into the alcoholic or soft drinks of young women. They are hard to detect and work quickly to incapacitate the victim, making her vulnerable to sexual attack. Worse, they usually leave her with no memory of what happened.

Before proceeding, let’s not forget that alcohol remains the drug most often used for this purpose, as excessive drinking can also cause blackouts and memory loss, without completely impairing one’s ability to function. However, most teens are already aware of this. Everyone knows of stories and experiences in which someone got too drunk and ended up having sex – intentionally or otherwise – with someone they wouldn’t touch in a sober state. That doesn’t make it OK, but it usually makes it preventable because one has a choice about how much to drink.

The situation with “rape drugs” is very different because they create an even worse state of impairment, with the victim having no choice at all in the matter.

There are several benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety medicines) that are used in this manner, including Lorazepam (Ativan) and Alprazolam (Xanax). A third benzodiazepine that is especially well-known for misuse is Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), better known as “roofies.” Rohypnol is legal in some countries but not the United States, which doesn’t seem to have limited its use much. Another substance called gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) also can be used this way. GHB was available in some health food stores in the late 1980s as a sleeping aid and muscle builder, but was removed after the FDA found it was harmful. Unfortunately, GHB is relatively easy to make. Some young people use it recreationally like the drug Ecstasy. Others use it to assault young women. GHB is colorless and odorless and comes in powder or liquid forms, which makes it easy to mix into any drink. It acts within 15 minutes, and the rest should be obvious by now. In a study in 1999, nearly 12 percent of U.S. rape victims had one of these last two drugs in their system, and I doubt that rate has gone down.

We all know that teenagers typically feel pretty invincible. An encounter with these drugs provides one very clear example of how that myth can be proven wrong with tragic consequences. In revisiting this issue, you can expect most kids to say “geeze mom, don’t you think I knew that already?” especially if they are in the 15 to 20 range. However, with all the contacts teenagers have in Lawrence, one more kindly (and non-hysterical) warning won’t put any parent over the legal limit of caution.

Marissa: I have not met anyone who has been taken advantage of by means of drugs. I have, however, heard of rapes or unintentional sex after drinking a lot of alcohol. When Wes told me that there have recently been more cases involving rape drugs, I had to take some time to research what I would say. Most of my information came from a site called coolnurse.com. Wes also has posted that link on his site.

I don’t know the probability of having someone slip you one of these drugs at a party in the Lawrence area, but I do know that there are certain things that you should always do to protect yourself.

First, never accept a drink from a stranger. Even though it may seem impolite to turn it down, always get your own drink. You should not share drinks either, and when going to the bathroom or leaving the room, take your cup with you. If you can’t take your drink with you, get a new one when you return. Lastly, don’t drink from a large punchbowl. You have no way of telling if someone put something in it. If you bring your own drink, make sure that it is one with a screw-on lid.

I read that some of the drugs used might taste salty or cause a lot of foaming. So if your drink tastes or looks funny, not only should you throw it out, but you should probably leave the party as quickly as possible.

When going to a party, make sure that you’re not there alone. Always have a buddy along to periodically check in with and leave with. If you do have to leave alone, don’t announce it to the whole crowd.

Symptoms of being drugged include dizziness, trouble talking and impaired motor skills. You might experience nausea and vomiting and even a slowed heart rate and low blood pressure. If you start to feel any of these symptoms, you should go to one of your trusted friends at the party or leave. Do not leave or go with a stranger who offers you help. They could be the person who drugged you in the first place.

If something does happen to you, the first thing you must do is get help. Immediately call or go the police station or to the hospital. Do not shower or change your clothes or even use the bathroom, if possible, before going. These could damage evidence. If you have to go the bathroom, try to collect a sample of your urine. This could be the only proof you have of being drugged.

As with every instance of rape, remember that is not your fault no matter how you look at it. Even if you were drinking or doing something else illegal, that in no way justifies someone taking advantage of you.

– Dr. Wes Crenshaw is a board-certified family psychologist and director of the Family Therapy Institute Midwest. Marissa Ballard is a Lawrence High School senior. Opinions and advice given here are not meant as a substitute for psychological evaluation or therapy services. Send your questions about adolescent issues to doubletake@ljworld.com. All correspondence is strictly confidential.