December is once again here with us and as usual its time to go out and spend our hard earned money. But unaware to you , some will reap for one month and overtake your eleven months of hard work .
It is always good to unwind after a busy day at work and some people prefer to sip a cold drink at a ‘local’ as they catch up with friends or watch a football match.
Well, at times this comes at a cost.
Several people who are used to the ‘nightlife’ will tell you of their fear of being drugged.
‘Kuwekewa mchele’ is the term used to mean being drugged and in the recent past, victims have been raped and robbed.
It has emerged that the drug being used is Rohypnol also referred to as flunitrazepam, which should ideally be used for treating severe insomnia for a short duration (since it is addictive).
According to Dr Rose Kiarie, higher doses of the drug can result in excessive sedation and finally a coma.
“Adverse effects include confusion, speech impairment and loss of balance. Victims do not recall much of what happens when drugged and that is why it is popular in cases of sexual assault and robbery.
Is that cat in a checkered buzz or did someone just spike my drink pic.twitter.com/l4RonNATpn
— RANDIME77 (@Randime77) December 15, 2018
“In some countries, it is also used as a suicidal drug,” she remarked.
Rohypnol comes in pill form and can be crushed into. People who intend to use the drug on an unsuspecting victim will often place either the pill or powder into a drink because it dissolves quickly and has no smell or taste.
Many people who observe a person who has ingested Rohypnol will assume that the person drunk.
Their speech may be slurred and the user may have difficulty walking – both common symptoms associated with excessive drinking.
It’s unlikely that you will see, smell or taste any difference in your drink if it has been spiked.
The only way to know is to be mindful of the symptoms as and when you notice them taking effect.
which can include lowered inhibitions, loss of balance, visual problems, confusion, nausea, vomiting and unconsciousness.
If you start to feel strange or more drunk than you feel you should be, then get help straight away.
What to do if you think you’ve been spiked
If you think your drink may have been spiked and you’re on your own, call someone you trust.
This could be a close friend, a medical professional, a relative or the police.
What’s more important: The beer we drink or where we drink it?
If you feel unwell, ask to be taken to the nearest Accident and Emergency department and tell the medical staff you think you’ve been spiked.
They will then conduct urine and blood tests to identify the drugs in your system.
Most date rape drugs will leave the body within 72 hours of being taken, so it’s important to be tested as possible in order to clarify what you’ve been spiked with so as to ensure you’re treated accordingly.
People who have been spiked should make fairly quick recoveries from a physical perspective, provided they are treated promptly.
Mentally and emotionally, the experience can take a more severe toll, leaving victims with feelings of shame, guilt and fear.
Have you ever been spiked?