Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Nov 15/99) - Iqaluit women beware -- there may be a new danger in town that specifically targets you.

According to the executive director of the Qimaavik Women's Shelter, there is evidence that the drug Rohypnol, commonly called the date-rape drug or roofies, may have surfaced.

Causing complete blackouts for up to 24 hours, the drug is often slipped into women's drinks and used in the committal of sexual assault.

"It really is the drug of choice for rape," said Trish Hughes-Wieczorek.

"We have three different stories from three different women that suggest this may be in town."

She explained that about one month ago, the first of three women came to her and told her that she had been out at one of the bars in town and had drank a few glasses of wine.

The woman, who is known not to be a heavy drinker, blacked-out and has absolutely no memory of the entire evening. Luckily, she was with her friends and even though she has no recollection of the events that transpired, when she began to act totally out of character, they escorted her home safely.

"She was horrified. She has no memory of anything that happened and that's apparently how the drug works. There's no taste, no smell and it's slipped into the drink and it dissolves quickly and takes effect in a couple of minutes," said Hughes-Wieczorek.

About the size of an aspirin, roofies belong to the same family as valium, but are said to be 10 times as strong. Their effects range from total relaxation to aggressive hyperactivity and have been surfacing across North America over the last few years.

While they've reportedly been used in sexual assaults across southern Canada and the United States, this is the first time women in Iqaluit have come forward with their suspicions.

While Hughes-Wieczorek admits that the evidence isn't conclusive, the very real testimony of the three women who came forward was enough to make her draft a letter and send it out to the RCMP and to bar managers and to any agencies that may come into contact with women.

Sgt. Mike O'Malley of the Iqaluit RCMP detachment has recognized the extremely serious nature of the reports and has advised women to be extremely careful.

"It's something that can very easily be dropped into a drink and the next thing you know, the woman is waking up in a strange place and saying 'What happened?'" said O'Malley, adding that he intends to send out a press release warning women about the dangers of roofies.

"Women should be looking at doing some kind of a buddy system at the bars to take care of each other," he said.

Further, O'Malley alerted women not to drink beverages they had not purchased themselves and not to leave their drinks unattended, even for a short period of time.

"If you're suspicious, dump it and get another drink."

If you have any concerns or feel like you may have come into contact with the drug, contact the RCMP immediately.