Protecting Yourself, Youngsville Police Investigate Possible Drink Tampering
Taking a sip of your drink while you are out socializing shouldn't make you see double, not be able to walk, and make you incoherent, but that is exactly what one woman spoke to KLFY about.
The Youngsville Police Department was contacted about the situation, and they are investigating the woman's report of being "roofied". Anyone who has ever had a drink in their hand has worried about whether or not this terrifying thing could happen to them.
And, for too many people, have experienced being sexually assaulted after having their drink laced with something.
Rohypnol has long been called the "date rape drug" because the victim becomes incapacitated. And, the list continues of the drugs that have been used to rape women. In addition to the many drugs that are illegal, perpetrators will also use legal prescription medications in their quest to rape.
Unfortunately, there are a multitude of stories about women being drugged and raped in Louisiana.
The Youngsville Police Department is currently working on an investigation into this woman's situation.
Locally, SARC, the Sexual Abuse Response Center works with people who have been assaulted. A crisis line is open 24 hours a day/7 days a week. You can always call for help. The number is 337-233-7273.
The following are several of the many tips recommended on how to protect yourself:
5. LOOK CAREFULLY AT YOUR DRINK
It's a good idea to really look at your drink. Watch your drink being made.
If you see any fizz or foam in your drink, don't even take a sip.
WebMD.com says if you see any signs like that along with any residue or cloudiness in your drink, just don't touch it.
4. NEVER LET YOUR DRINK OUT OF YOUR SIGHT
The blog Confidential Recovery has a great piece of advice that every source will tell you,
One thing you can do is to make sure you have your drink in sight and a hand on it at all times. If this means you bring your drink to the bathroom with you then so be it.
Never assume your friends will watch your drink. One Montana victim says what happened to her happened quickly after she took a sip. She went to the bathroom and left her drink behind thinking her friends would watch her drink. They ended up moving to the bar, when she got her drink back from the table, she took two sips and passed out.
3. DON'T DRINK OR TASTE ANYONE'S DRINK
The Talk to Frank website has tons of information on how to protect yourself and things to consider.
It seems innocent; to take a sip of someone's drink after they tell you how great it is and offer you a sip. They pretend to drink but don't.
It's one of the multiple techniques that nefarious people use to get you drugged.
2. THROW OUT THE DRINK
If you leave your cup unattended in a bar, house party, etc, just throw it away. Even if you have paid for the drink it's not worth getting hurt.
If you have walked away from the beverage at all it is best to throw it away according to Tulane.
Also, if you haven't opened the drink yourself, then just throw it away because you don't know if it's been compromised.
1. DON'T DRINK FROM THE PUNCH BOWL
This may sound "old-school" but you shouldn't drink from any communal drinking apparatus, meaning a punch bowl, or any other container that everyone is sharing.
If you are offered a beverage then just make sure you decline the beverage.
Any container can be contaminated with a drug or other substance.
These are just some of the things that experts recommend. But, make sure you do further research, and if you have tips to add, we would love to find out your suggestions.
IF YOU NEED HELP
You can call 911, and a crisis line is open 24 hours a day/7 days a week. You can always call for help. The number is 337-233-7273.