You’re out at a bar, sipping a cocktail with your friends. The next thing you know, you wake up in a hospital, unsure of how you got there.
It’s a scary scenario, and one that police in Boston are trying to prevent by urging people to be vigilant about spiked drinks and the dangers of inadvertently consuming them.
The drugs that are secretly slipped into drinks are typically colorless, odorless, and tasteless, such as Rohypnol (’roofies’), GHB, and ketamine, according to an advisory by the Boston Police Department. They can lead to “disorientation, confusion, temporary paralysis, unconsciousness, and other serious effects that leave victims vulnerable.”
Police provided several tips on how to avoid getting drugged and urged the public to take the following precautions:
- Make sure your drink is given to you directly by a bartender or server; never accept drinks from people you don’t know or don’t trust.
- Never leave your drink unattended. Take your drink with you, wherever you go — even to the restroom.
- Cover the best of your drink when you’re not actively sipping it.
- Consider using drink-testing tools such as test strips or nail polish that detect the presence of date rape drugs in beverages. (A Providence College student recently developed SmartSip, a reusable straw that does the same thing).
- If you start to feel dizzy, nauseous, light-headed, or otherwise unwell, seek assistance immediately.
- Be on the lookout for any suspicious behavior around you, and be wary of strangers trying to separate individuals from their group.
- If you see someone who appears to be in distress, wandering around alone, or dressed inappropriately for the weather, contact police immediately. They may have been drugged and not even know it.
“If you believe you have been the victim of drink spiking or any other criminal activity, report the incident as soon as possible,” police said.
Emily Sweeney can be reached at emily.sweeney@globe.com. Follow her @emilysweeney and on Instagram @emilysweeney22.
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