RUPD Advisory

3/31/16 3:25pm

The Rice University Police Department has learned that date-rape drugs might have been involved in an incident of sexual assault reported to one of the campus student resources. We are respecting the student’s wishes to not make a formal report to RUPD and to not pursue criminal charges, but we want to once again alert the Rice community to the dangers of these forms of drugs. In this case, the victim reported symptoms consistent with the use of date-rape substances: a rapid onset of intoxication out of proportion to what they may have had to drink and reported memory loss.

Rice University condemns the behavior of any member of the community putting another person at risk by drugging their drink, and especially with the intent to assault them. We will thoroughly investigate the cases reported to us, and any student who, more likely than not, has committed this behavior will face expulsion from the university and criminal charges whenever possible.

The Rice University Police Department urges the community to be alert to the possibility of encountering these drugs, which include Rohypnol, GHB and Ketamine and can be slipped into an unsuspecting person’s drink. Rapid and severe intoxication follows, along with dramatically reduced motor skills and memory loss. In this condition, anyone can be extremely vulnerable to sexual assault.

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We ask the community to follow the risk-reduction techniques below and also to intervene against and report others who may be committing the crime of sharing or distributing these drugs.

To protect yourself, do not leave beverages unattended, and be wary of accepting drinks from people you do not know well. To be even more careful, make sure that you open and pour your own drink, and don’t share drinks with others. It is also wise to use the buddy system while socializing. When you go out with friends, agree to keep an eye on one another and to go home together. If a friend starts to exhibit symptoms of date-rape drug ingestion, seek medical help immediately. Signs to look for include dizziness and/or nausea, memory loss, breathing or motion difficulties and acting disproportionately intoxicated relative to the amount of alcohol consumed.

The Rice University Police Department urges anyone who believes they or a friend may have been the victim of a date-rape drug to contact them immediately. On campus, RUPD can be reached at ext. 6000; off campus or by cellphone, call 713-348-6000. Victims of any form of sexual assault are encouraged to seek support at the Office of Sexual Violence Prevention and Title IX Support and/or the Wellbeing and Counseling Center, located at the Barbara and David Gibbs Wellness Center on the first floor, or at 713-348-3311.

Johnny C. Whitehead
Chief of Police

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