Drug-Assisted Rape Awareness Grows

It is at once disturbing and encouraging to see greater coverage of the drug-assisted rape (commonly and incorrectly called "date rape") crisis -- disturbing because this reprehensible crime continues to increase, and encouraging because the media is spreading the word. Hopefully girls (and men, since drugs are used to sexually assault them, too) are being more careful.

For example, the paper in Corpus Christi, Texas, a big Spring Break venue, ran a lengthy article Friday about the risk revelers face from GHB. Here's the link; registration required. And here's some good advice from the article:

* Watch your drink. If possible, watch while your drink is being prepared, and only accept drinks from servers. Keep in mind that GHB and Rohypnol (the rape drug called "roofies") cause no significant change in taste or appearance when added to drinks, so the only way to know for sure your drink is safe is to keep an eye on it yourself. These drugs not only can make you vulnerable to sexual assault, they can cause liver damage and even death.

* Finally, keep in mind that the most common weapon used in a sexual assault is not a gun or a knife - it's trust. The vast majority of sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim-a relative, friend, acquaintance or coworker.