By
Nick Feldman
March 13, 2008
Someone hands you a fruity new drink to try. All of a sudden, you’re giddy and excited. The music gets really loud. Then you start to feel like taking a little nap, but in actuality you’re slumping on the floor. Next comes the vomiting, the slowed pulse and breathing and the seizing. You’re technically in a coma. You’re nearly dead.
This is what happens when you overdose on any of a number of substances dubbed “date rape drugs.” They get that name because, throughout that entire ordeal, there’s a good chance a guy or girl is doing something to you that you probably wouldn’t want them to be doing.
These are drugs like Gamma hydroxy butrate (GHB), Flunitrazepam, Temazepam, Midazolam and Ketamine. They sound like chemicals you’d find in a mad scientist’s laboratory, but their actual use is just as sinister. Basically, the salty-tasting liquids are made up of degreasing solvent or floor stripper mixed with drain cleaner.
Three people I know personally have undergone the horrible experience of being drugged at a party, two of them here at parties in the UW Greek community. Luckily, all were with friends who noticed the strange symptoms and took the girls home, or to the hospital — without those friends, it’s terrifying to think about the possibilities.
Though the “who” and “how” are not always clear, the “why” is implied. It’s not pretty. And worst of all, we can’t say it doesn’t happen here.
Alcohol has a lot to do with the problem. According to the UW’s Committee Organizing Rape Education (CORE) more than three-quarters of rape cases involve alcohol.
In addition, the use of controlled substances to facilitate sexual assault translates into a difficult case. First, the memory loss tied to date rape drugs can create an inability to prosecute the attacker later because the victim will not remember some or all of the assault.
Second, the fact that many of these chemicals are found naturally in the body — though in miniscule quantities — means that they will be quickly processed and expelled, leaving nothing to be found in medical tests as soon as 24-hours later.
According to a survey of more than 6,000 students on 32 college campuses by Arizona State University psychologist Mary Koss, more than half of all college women have experienced some form of sexual assault. More than 40 percent told no one about their experience, while 5 percent reported to the police and another 5 percent reported to a crisis center.
Reporting an assault is one of the most important and difficult things to do. Though it’s best to try to make a report in the first 72 hours, it’s never too late. Making the report and seeing the offender brought to justice could be vital to the improvement of your mental health.
So what can you do? Aside from step one, which would be to not drug people, keeping safe seems simple. Unfortunately, when you’re working on a little buzz, these tips might seem unimportant.
Keep your drinks nearby, and definitely don’t set a cup down and return to it later. Like your parents told you, don’t wander off into dark corners with strangers.
If you see your friend pass out and become non-responsive, it’s never good, but it could be something worse if they haven’t had much — or anything — to drink.
I wouldn’t go so far as to call this a rampant problem in the Greek community, or anywhere at the UW, but it’s definitely one that exists. And that means it’s one we need to stop.
[Reach columnist Nick Feldman at features@thedaily.washington.edu.]
24 Comments
#1 shut up
on March 12, 2008 at 9:18 p.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
no one is date raping girls. they just get to drunk and sleep with somebody or make a fool of themselves so they try to blame someone for "date rape" get your facts straight. stop tryin to give the greek system a bad your probally in some gay frat like lambdas or theta delta chi
#2 Lauren
on March 13, 2008 at 9:12 a.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
Right, no one ever gets date raped. It's just a myth made up to shovel off responsibly on to the person who's screwing a barely conscious body. And the GHB found in victim's systems in the hospital, why they probably put it there themselves to make their story look more credible. And even if they didn't put the drug in the drink themselves, they are still at fault, not the person who intended to incapacitate them. If people don't want to get raped they should not go to parties, talk to strangers, wear clothes that don't cover them completely, or drink ANYTHING. To be safe people who don't want to be violated should never leave their rooms, I mean, if they're out in public they're basically asking for it.
As for telling the author to get his facts straight, I really appreciate that. Thank you, shut up, for replacing his lies with the facts. Even if your "facts" appear to be an ill-punctuated incorrect personal opinion, sometimes it takes subtly to reach the uneducated masses and let them know date rape has never ever happened anywhere in the history of the world. You truly are a crusader for truth.
#3 Siv
on March 13, 2008 at 9:23 a.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
Just when we all almost forgot about Brian Slodysko's highly-personalized and slanted ode to frat life last spring, The Daily shoots itself in the foot yet again with another story aimed at completely alienating a large percentage of the UW student population and Daily readership.
Sorry, but titling an article about date rape "Going Greek" is blatantly incendiary and irresponsible.
While an informative article on the dangers of date-rape drugs and rape in general would be of benifit to the community, this article makes some absurd claims based on loosely-tied statistics (which have nothing to do with the UW or it's Greek system) and anecdotal hearsay.
Mr. Feldman, at the least, you guilty of shoddy journalism. Facts and statistics that do not relate to the UW are tied to the Greek system in a way that is misleading and libelous.
An article in the Features section should give simply all the NEWS that's fit to print - which should only consist of facts, otherwise, run it in the Opinion Section, where an article with this many adjectives clearly belongs.
#4 dude168
on March 13, 2008 at 9:42 a.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
geez guys give him a break, have you guys read his other articles about the greek system. He has said nothing but praises about the greek system, and has been trying to break the stereotypes ppl have against it.
He personally is a greek himself so why would he be dissing on the greek system. I think he just wrote this aarticle informing ppl that this things do happen, and do occur and we should just be more careful, thats all. If you guys read it carefully, he didn't say DON"T Go TO FRAT PARTIES BECAUSE THEY DRUG THE GIRLS AND RAPE THEM.
He said it happens everywhere. obviously he's trying to be unbiased to included that sometime unfortunately it happens within the greek system too.
I say good job nick on all these articles about the greek system. I think your doing us proud informing ppl about us. keep it up!
#5 hmmm..
on March 13, 2008 at 10 a.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
Lauren, are you serious? Did you really write the words.."no one ever gets date raped."
That is just as absurd as saying people do get date raped here. The fact is people get date raped many places, but most of the time it involves drinking. Frat parties=guys, friends of those guys, dorm guys, sorority girls, dorm girls and sometimes randoms who manage to slip in. I applaud Nick for actually writing an article this week that talks about a real topic that doesn't sound like pr for the greek system.
#6 Lauren
on March 13, 2008 at 10:25 a.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
I was replying to the poster above me, who said those words.
#7 Lauren
on March 13, 2008 at 10:28 a.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
It was sarcasm, I thought I layed it on pretty thick, but I guess not think enough.
#8 uw '08
on March 13, 2008 at 11:19 a.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
Man, is this the IRONY FREE ZONE? Lauren was obviously being sarcastic.
I guess it's good that this author is informing ppl that "this things" happen. I personally hate when this things happen to ppl and I think it's good for ppl to know about this things.
#9 Fraternity man
on March 13, 2008 at 3:32 p.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
Many members of the Greek community are tired of you writing and representing us. If you're planning on writing articles that relate us to terrible things, please write them independently. This makes me embarrassed to be tied to you and I'm sure members of your new house, Theta Delta Chi feel the same.
#10 Another Frat man
on March 13, 2008 at 5:17 p.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
Give Feldman a break. I particularly do enjoy the "going greek" articles written by him.
After a year of anti-frat sentiment it nice to see articles that shine light on our Greek system. Yes it isn't groundbreaking journalism but they are well written articles in a meh-quality newspaper.
I give him credit for at least stepping up and writing about the Greek system. I am amazed that our massive Greek system hasn't spawned a Greek newspaper or at least a column in the previous years. If you dislike what he has to say then have some balls and give him well thought opinions.
Other than that if you think he is misrepresenting the Greek system then think again. He is trying to debunk all stereotypes that nongreek people give the system. If you dont think he is right. Think again.
Atleast he has the balls to do it. If you want change then write the damn articles yourselves.
#11 Greek Girl
on March 13, 2008 at 11:50 p.m.(Everett, WA | Unverified Name)
I have thought about writing the Greek beat for the Daily, but have decided against it because I feel like the Daily staff is predominantly anti-Greek. The editors see Greek life as a series of scandals that should be reported on. They are tired of hearing about all of our "philanthropies" and boring activities and they want the details of all the "hazing, date rape, etc." they can get their hands on. Being Greek means more than just attending parties... give us some more credit!
#12 Greek Guy
on March 14, 2008 at 3:33 p.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
I've read my fair share of greek articles from the Daily in my 4 years here and I have to say the good to bad ratio of those articles is 1 to 10. I see that you're trying to "inform" the public about date rape but I can assure you that a very large percentage of the college body knows what date rape is and now, you've perpetuated the notion that it happens in the Greek system.
If I'm a freshmen that has had no exposure to but am curious about joining a fraternity, what am I going to think when I read "Going Greek: Date Rape ...". Keyword, GREEK. You're directly damaging the already damaged perception of the Greek system. Next time you write an article like this, how about "Date Rape - An issue that must be taken seriously" and leave the Greek system out of it because I'm sure it happens elsewhere.
#13 seriously
on March 15, 2008 at 4:23 p.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
what is never mentioned by the daily is the fact that the majority of unsafe drinking practices takes place in the dorms, as does "rape". greek organization are required to provide alcohol and rape classes/training for their members and the dormies get none of the sort.
#14 no assumption
on March 15, 2008 at 11:18 p.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
Greek guy you cant simply assume what a freshman would say, and not to mention assume that a "large percentage". Its like saying that there is a large percentage of people that are well knowledge in various forms of protection(pill, female/male condom, etc). Especially, you know that isn't true. A person may heard of it but may not know how to deal with or solve the situation. Plus, a "freshman 4 yrs ago" vs. "freshman this year is a huge difference."
Feldman is simpling writing about what to expect when you "Go Greek" in which he debunks myths, assesses potential dangers,etc.
Furthermore, he writes it about in a general sense not attributing it to the Greek system but to parties in general whether its at a house party or Greek Party.
you must've glossed over it and never caught the end or other comments
"I wouldn’t go so far as to call this a rampant problem in the Greek community, or anywhere at the UW, but it’s definitely one that exists. And that means it’s one we need to stop."
#15 NON-greek
on March 16, 2008 at 6:14 p.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
Look Greeks,
The Greek system is SYNONYMOUS with rape, drunkenness, molestation, filthy living, and homosexually themed rituals. This is just the perception that most people have. There's nothing you can do about it except hide the fact that you were in a frat from future employers and friends. The whole world thinks negatively of you. I'm not saying they should, or that any of that perception is legit, but that's just the vibe that you have going on. Furthermore, it sends a message that you need to pay people to be your friends.
While all these perceptions may not be true, there is one thing that IS definitely true.
Almost ALL frat guys were to total loser nerds in high school. You always will be. It doesn't matter if your in "one of those gay frats" or if you are in .. well, to all non-greeks they're all the same anyways...
How about we all become adults now?
#16 ....ignorance
on March 17, 2008 at 9:33 p.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
Nongreek. You ride the misconceptions of being an outsider. I'm not in the greek system but i have friends in Frats and vastly don't see it.
Exhibit A. "rape, drunkenness, molestation, filthy living."
It happens in every city so don't attribute that its just frats. Ive seen it happen north of the Greek system not affiliated w/ Greeks
Exhibit B. "a frat from future employers and friends"
Jobs throughout life depends on who you know. Plus, who doesn't want friends???
Exhibit C. I find hilarious. "Pay people to be your friends"
A fair amount of people join Frats with friends to begin with. Then you meet new people at the place you live with. Doesn't it sound like the dorms?? Damn. I wish I was that clever. oh wait, I'll rent an apartment with the only 3 friends I have and don't make new ones.
Then you kill your statement with the saying that you may not be true and follow another lie.
ALL frat guys were total loser nerds in HS. I'm sorry i have a few guys who pull 3.8 in Premed and have hot girlfriends and even juggle Frat life. Damn he is nerdy. Sucks to be him.
How about you look at several alumns throughout the Greek system in general and you'll be surprised that our society has gotten a lot from Greek life.
i.e.
Will Ferrell, a Delt from USC
Robert Frost, a Theta Delt from Dartmouth
Jim Caviezel, a local Sigma Chi
just a few of up to thousands of people involved in Athletics, Journalism, Politics, Military, Architecture, and so on and so forth.
So next time you decide to post. Think before you write. Be an adult and contribute something purposeful and less ignorant.
#17 C
on March 18, 2008 at 12:38 a.m.(Lake Stevens, WA | Unverified Name)
Notice how he didn't deny the homosexually themed rituals.. LOL..
#18 Todd
on March 18, 2008 at 10:44 a.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
Thanks Non-Greek for shedding light on the homosexually themed rituals! I had no intention in rushing, but now I couldn't be more excited about it! Gay spankings, here I come!!
#19 ....ignorance
on March 18, 2008 at 4:27 p.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
I didn't bother assessing the "homosexual themed rituals" as most of the houses guard what they do for initiation as secret while some houses don't. From what I gathered there really is no gay themed spanking.
#20 WishSoBad2BGreek
on March 18, 2008 at 8:18 p.m.(Lake Stevens, WA | Unverified Name)
Oh Trust me ignorance..
There's a reason why they don't talk about it.
And wow.. someone pulls a 3.8 in premed. Premed could be anything. You could be getting a BA in basketweaving and call it premed. That just means you wish you were a doctor.
Seriously, when I hire people in the future, I will take everyone that had any Greek affiliation and put their resume in the trash. I will even look at facebook/myspace just to make sure.
Greek is a BIG red flag for employers.
Back in the day when Robert Frost was some Greek, it was a whole different thing. It actually meant something. Now it's just spankings.
#21 this is ridiculous
on March 19, 2008 at 5:44 p.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
Hey "wish," how do you know that there's homosexually themed ritual or spanking? Unless you've undergone a fraternity initiation, which you clearly haven't, all you have to go on is sensational movie portrayals and bad stereotypes that have very little grounding in reality. And Greek afiliation is absolutely not a red flag for employers, not in the least. A lot of the horribly incorrect assumptions posted here are things that have no truth basis at all, and many were (ironically) discussed in Feldman's first column. To address "non-Greek," the whole world does not have a negative idea of us, just a select few who are very agressively misinformed.
#22 yet another with assumptions
on March 24, 2008 at 1:21 a.m.(North Bend, WA | Unverified Name)
Basketweaving and premed....come on now. Any sensible person that knows what premed means= BIO, OCHEM, and other ridiculous course that weeds out students. The weed out courses that ruins the many "positive intentions" for students who want to be a doctor.
"Greek is a BIG red flag for employers"
-another effin dumb assumption. Try being a Treasurer of a Fraternity, a social chair, or perhaps a President. How about try doing that for some other company. The scale would be different but holding a position in a Fraternity holds so many redeemable qualities. You deal with ridiculous people, extreme end of personalties, all sorts of backgrounds, and so on and so forth.
Furthermore, so many companies hire people with Greek backgrounds. I know several that have been working for Microsoft for years now. Moreover, others just starting in high standing companies.
Before you attack...do some groundwork and form an educated argument. Its OBVIOUS that you, wishsobad2bgreek, have not even talk to someone from a Fraternity and assess these Greek stereotypes. When you do, if you have the balls, you will see that Fraternities are not the bad institutions you so imagined.
If you want to see. Check out Sig Egs, call up KA Order, Zeta Beta Tau, Theta Xi, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Kappa Psi, Chi Psi, PIKEs. I could go on. Each offer something unique.
If you...or ANYONE else post something worth debating or discussing then please do. but
a)be smart
b)bring something to the table
c)do not make an ASS out of U and ME
#23 1motorpsycho
on March 28, 2008 at 7:56 p.m.(Auburn, WA | Unverified Name)
Getting back to the subject, I am here to say that date rape is the perfect crime and a real problem. As a victim myself, I never "asked" for it. I was a married mother who went dancing with a girlfriend. I was the designated driver, so I had only one drink. I wore sweats and danced alone in the back corner(not that it matters). This was not an unfamiliar place to me. I am always aware of my surroundings and I was told later after I came to, that I "had a rough night". I was CARRIED to his apartment. Does that sound "willing". I was passed out! I never saw the (bleep) until the next morning. There goes 10 hours. Sick as a dog, I could not even hold down coffee! I had a two hour drive to get my child that was left with a sitter. I was too sick to do that or go to the hospital (I still had no idea about what happened). I slept about 10 more hours. My friend finds me comatosed and encouraged me to go to the hospital because after we put our stories together, she realised that she saw me with someone that I did not remember. I only saw him in the morning. Thirty something hours later, I go in, the doctor did not even bother with a test at that point. We got DNA, filed a report, the (bleep) was cocky enough to give me his number (I gave it to the police), I remembered his car from the next morning and my friend identified him with the police. It was not enough. Ladies, I am here to tell you that you need to report this asap, no matter how you feel. If you have been out and for no apparent reason you cannot function, get to a hospital if you have to crawl there. I never put my drink down. It takes 1 sec to drop something in it while you look for your friend or at your watch. Rape is never your fault. Do not feel guilt and do not allow him do it to someone else. It never matters what cultural backround he is from. This is not about race. This happens anywhere with anyone. I am very lucky to be alive. This is not a joke people. I get Lauren's sarcasm.
#24 pissed off friend
on April 5, 2008 at 10:06 p.m.(Amherst, MA | Unverified Name)
you are a fcking idiot if you honestly think that people want to be date rapped... I just went and got 4 friends from a local frat, and 3 of the girls had been date raped, and the forth knows one of the brothers who did it. you are a fcking meat head if you honestly believe that things like that DONT happen on college campuses, and in greek life!
dumb ass.
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