BPD Community Alert: With Halloween Approaching The Boston Police Department Warns Against Spiked Drinks And Urges Victims To Report The Incidents

BPD Community Alert: The Boston Police Department would like everyone to enjoy a safe and Happy Halloween. With Halloween coming up, the Department would like to remind all students and the public of the dangerousness of scentless, colorless, and tasteless drugs such as Rohypnol, also known as roofie, being placed in the drinks of unsuspecting victims. Other drugs commonly used in a similar fashion are GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid) or Ketamine. These drugs and substances can cause disorientation, confusion, temporary paralysis, or unconsciousness, along with a host of other symptoms, leaving the potential victim vulnerable to the intentions of the suspect.

While the BPD encourages everyone to look out for each other when gathered in social settings by creating a 'buddy system' to prevent getting separated, there are steps you can take on your own to help ensure your personal safety:

-Be sure that your drink is being served directly by the bartender or your server. Don't allow people you don't know or trust to order drinks and deliver them to you.

-Watch your drink at all times. Never leave your drink unattended.

-Take your drink with you to the restroom if need be.

-Keep your hand covered over your drink when you're not looking at it. Many creative inventions exist that can help you cover your drink.

-Test your drink with test strips or nail polish that light up a certain color if they detect drugs.

-Get help immediately if you begin to feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, or strange in any way.

-Please be aware of any uncharacteristic behavior from your acquaintances and be wary of strangers attempting to lure individuals away from their friends.

-Also, should you observe any individual who appears to be in distress, wandering alone late at night, or dressed unsuitably for the weather, be sure to contact the police immediately.