Netizens Warn: Don’t Get Fooled by These Date Rape Drugs!

Recently, conversations about sexual assault have sparked debates among netizens. Many are buzzing about the story of a 19-year-old lady who accused Kris Wu of luring underage women.

Indeed, sex crimes have become one of the biggest talking points on the internet as major cities including Beijing have seen flooding of new drugs on the rise-many can be so discreet and deceiving that they come under luring street names such as 听话水 tīnghuà shuǐ Obedience Water or “乖乖水” Good behavior water, and even marking them as "aphrodisiacs," apparently in an attempt to trick young people into committing crimes. These fancy, attractive bottles are actually called date rape drugs. 

Such drugs can cause people, especially young women and minors, to become extremely vulnerable. Some may put themselves in a dangerous position without knowing it. To better protect someone from falling prey to such crimes., here are some of the things you need to know.

What are date rape drugs?

As the name implies, these drugs are supposed to make sexual assault easier for attackers. The victim can be someone who is a total stranger to the attacker or even someone who is familiar with the attacker.

Without any taste or smell, the substances have a sedative effect on the victims – they will generally make the victims fall asleep and have trouble defending themselves or remembering what happens afterward. 

But these drugs weren't always illegal. At one time, they were used as a powerful sedative on patients for anesthesia and insomnia. The effects are the strongest when combined with alcohol, which will induce a variety of symptoms to the victims including dizziness, memory loss, unconsciousness, a coma, and in the worst scenario, death.

Fortunately, there are precautions you can take to prevent this from happening. Here are some of the things you can do:

Guard your drinks

Don’t ever leave your glass – water, soda, and especially alcohol – behind. You should always keep your glasses within your sight to prevent someone from slipping something in your drink.

Toss it out if it smells strange

Don’t force yourself to drink anything you don’t want to drink. Throw it out immediately if anything it tastes weird.

No drinks from strangers, please!

Don’t accept any drinks from someone you have just met unless it is directly poured from the bartender.

Bring a trusted friend

We all have that one sober friend who is ready to watch our backs when we've had a little too much. Bring someone you can trust enough in case you feel strange.

Get a urinary test if you think you've been drugged

If you believe you've been drugged, you should get a urine sample done as soon as possible at the hospital so that the doctor can better analyze exactly what substance you have consumed

READ:.Safety First: How to Stay Safe on Your Next Beijing Hike

Images: Weibo,  Unsplash