03.07
This is a growing problem that’s been happening all year in Whistler. People are being seriously drugged while at parties and bars.
Latest First Hand Experience
I’ll preface the problem with something that happened to a friend of mine last night. (Let’s call him) Jay, came by my place at about 8pm. He was completely sober. We chatted and he left because we were going to meet up at 9:30 and have a drink together. I spoke to him at 9:30 and he was at a house party having a great time. I lost contact with Jay and decided to go out with some friends at about 10:30. I phoned a cab. Two taxis rolled up. One was the cab I called, the other had Jay in it. I said hello to him, but he seemed extremely drunk. The taxi driver asked if I was his friend. I said yes. The driver told me that his friends put him in the cab because he was so messed up. I didn’t think too much of the situation. I told Jay to go inside and go to bed. Apparently, he found his way to my house and laid on my couch with my house-mate, unable to speak.
Both my house-mate and I found it very odd that Jay got so drunk so fast. Jay called me today and asked me to recall the night. He had one beer. One. Obviously he was drugged. He can’t recall having a phone discussion with me at 9:30. He was really concerned about his actions because he doesn’t remember a thing. Luckily, his friends put him in a taxi. Luckily, he made it home and was around people he trusts. It could have been a lot worse.
Where And When This Happens
This is a problem that occurs frequently in Whistler. I personally have heard about half a dozen cases of this happening since the October. Both males and females. This happens at the high profile bars in the Village, the low key bars, and house parties.
What Is Happening
After an incident victims always try to retrace their steps. The biggest mystery is who would do something like this? The second mystery is why. Now, it’s obvious to think the worst. Date rape is a very common crime that happens here in Whistler. Having known at least 3 people that have shared their experiences with me makes that fact obvious. The most common drug that leads to date rape is alcohol. Using other drugs such as ketamine (Special K, or K), GHB (G), rohypnol (ruffies) make it a lot more dangerous. There is a common perception that drinks are randomly drugged and the people that are doing this are waiting to see who seems to be under the influence. The motive could be rape, robbery, or anything. It seems to be a random and happening frequently.
What Isn’t Happening
People are not following up properly when this happens. To get your blood tested to see if you’ve been drugged takes a long time, must be done in Vancouver and is extremely expensive. People just don’t get it done. People don’t follow up with the bars and house party hosts. They can help lead to arrests.
What You Should Do
If you, or someone you know has been drugged here are some things that you should do:
- Tell the police
- Tell the bars management or the party’s host
- Tell a doctor
- Tell your friends
Why You Should Do It
Telling the police is important. This is becoming too frequent and the police need to be on the look out for the criminals that are doing this. They have the ability to revoke liquor licences, or may be familiar with seedy people at house parties. If it’s an individual that’s doing this, then the more evidence the police can get, the better.
The bars managment has the ability to check cameras, or may already know of some individuals who are behaving dodgy on a given night. If they are aware of what’s going on, they can be more on the lookout for what is happening.
If you’ve been drugged at a house party, then it’s important to talk to the host. The host should know many of the people who’ve attended the party and may be able to help find a suspect.
I did mention that the most common date rape drugs are G, K and ruffies, but there are other and they can be very bad for you. If you’ve taken a drug and you don’t know what it is, tell your doctor and he or she can make sure you have a full recovery.
Tell your friends because awareness is probably the most prevenative mesaure anyone can take. If you’re more careful, you can avoid this problem. Don’t think this doesn’t happen, or won’t happen to you, it can and it does.
How To Avoid This Problem
Never let your drink leave your hand. Never.
Always be careful when standing too close to someone with an open cup.
Tell your friends about what is happening so they can be aware of the problem too.
Tell your friends your plans for the night. God forbid if you do get drugged, someone will know where you are supposed to be and when you are supposed to be there.
Another Scary Theory
Some people have suggested that when people are being drugged in the bars it may have been by the bartenders. That’s a very scary thought. I know that a lot of the bartenders in Whistler are trustworthy people and I couldn’t speak more highly of most of them, but some may not be. That’s why it’s so important to tell management if this is going on.
Has This Happened To You Or Someone You Know
I would be very appreciative if you could share some incidence of this happening with me. Please send me an email.
nick (at) WhistlerWatch (dot) com
Be safe everyone.