The late 1980’s brought a new way for rapists to get their jollies – the date rape drug. You might have heard it called GHB or Rohypnol which are but two forms of the drug. There are countless other variations of the date rape drug which essentially renders its victims defenseless and their memory hazy. The drug comes in a variety of forms such as quick dissolving pills, powder or the most popular – a liquid. It has no color or smell and mixed in with a drink, no taste either.

The date rape drug has been popular on the club scene because it is quite easy to slip the drug undetected into a drink sitting on the table. Rapists will go on a date or two to render a date more complacent and trusting before using the drug. It is quite illegal but can be purchased virtually anywhere, even the internet. Because of its availability and effects on women who ingest it, it can be quite dangerous.

Basically a sedative drug, the date rape tool only takes about 15 to 20 minutes to take effect on the victim. Each person will experience different side effects but generally there are feelings of confusion, hazy memory, lack of inhibition and eventually the victim will pass out unconscious. If they are lucky, they will wake up in a few hours because the date rape drugs have been known to cause death from respiratory distress and even a heart attack in some victims.

Date rape drugs are tricky because they cause amnesiatic type symptoms in victims and they will likely have no recollection of what transpired in the hours before. Finding bruises, ripped clothing and evidence of sex when there was no memory of it are usually the only signs a woman has that a rape might have occurred. The drawback to proving a drug was used to subdue the victim is the fact that the drug does not leave traces in the body and usually cannot be found in a toxicology screening.

Avoiding the Date Rape Drug

There are several ways to avoid being a victim of date rape through the use of one of these potent drugs. First of all, when you are in a restaurant, bar or club, never leave your drink unattended as an open drink is an opportunity to slip in a drug without your knowledge. You should only accept drinks that are personally served by the waiter or bartender. Do not allow any strangers to buy you a drink and deliver it to you. Also, if you are at a party where you don’t know everyone, refrain from drinking from the communal punch bowl or accepting an open drink from someone.

Attend parties or events with friends so that you all can watch out for one another. You know each other well so when someone in your group starts acting strange or drunk before their normal limit, be wary of the date rape drug. Take your friend to the hospital as the drug could possibly be detected within the first 72 hours if the doctors know to look for it. Never leave a party or event alone but rather with the friends you went with so as to avoid becoming isolated from safety.

If you happen to be alone and feel strange after consuming a drink, do not hesitate to call for help immediately. You don’t have much time before you are totally unconscious and unable to protect yourself. If you think that you are a victim of the date rape drug and are not sure if you were raped, do not take a bath or clean up. Move straight for the hospital or the police station and get help. You will likely have to go through a rape examination and give blood to be tested for drugs.

By taking just a few precautions against the date rape drug, you can avoid many problems. Avoidance is the first line of self defense.

A popular radio talk show host often gets calls from people who say they have “tried every diet and still can’t lose weight.” She has a simple answer for these callers, “Eat less, move more.” Sometimes, unconsciously, we circumvent good old fashioned common sense while we’re looking for answers that are much more complicated. It works. Eat less, move more and you will lose weight. In fact, that is how you lose weight; when your body burns more calories than it takes in, you lose weight. It really isn’t complicated at all.

Of course, many of us have built in excuses when it comes to exercise. We either don’t have time to exercise or we absolutely hate to exercise so we just don’t do it at all. Keep in mind though, that the whole idea behind weight loss is to get healthier. Sure, you’ll have a more attractive body, but the real pay-off comes when you live longer, have more stamina, and can enjoy your life more. Exercise is a part of that solution. Just look at some of the benefits you’ll realize when you start to exercise:

More energy - Who couldn’t use more energy to get through the day? Your body was made to move. Exercising will get your heart pumping and all your body systems working more efficiently. Exercise also increases blood flow and circulation, which will help you concentrate and stay alert and focused throughout the day.

Stress relief - For most people, stress is a constant part of life. Stress can cause serious health problems ranging from fatigue and depression to muscle pain and even a higher risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. Regular exercise is a wonderful way to manage stress and help you relax.

Better overall health - Exercise will increase your stamina and flexibility and will make it easier for you to get around. Older people who stay active are far more likely to be able to live without assistance than people who don’t exercise. Studies have also shown that people who exercise regularly are less likely to have depression and anxiety and also have a lower risk of some types of cancer and heart disease.

Better sleep - Having trouble getting a good night’s sleep? Experts recommend regular exercise a few hours before bedtime to help you get the best night’s sleep possible. Exercise is the key to regulating your body’s systems so that you can sleep easily and wake up refreshed and ready to face the day. Any way, you can learn more about how to incorporate exercise into a common sense weight loss plan from these articles and our publication linked to within these pages.

Tomorrow, we’ll look at some ways you can incorporate exercise into your present lifestyle. Did I say “Tomorrow” again? Let’s see whether this time I’ll keep my promise and get back to you on this then