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Sections & Units
Our Mission:
"To optimize public safety
in the City of Calgary"
Crime Prevention Unit
Rape Drugs
Protect yourself from rape drugs
About rape drugs
It is possible for anyone to be drugged and sexually assaulted. Someone could put a drug into your drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, without you knowing about it. This may be done to make a sexual assault easier, and you could be a victim.
Sexual assault includes not only intercourse, but fondling, oral sex, or any unwanted sexual activity.
Many different rape drugs have been used with street names like roofies, cherry meth, easy lay, gammo O, liquid ecstasy, or liquid X. Because these drugs take several forms, ranging from tablets, capsules and pills to clear odourless liquids, it is difficult to know if a drug has been put into your drink.
If you've been drugged...
you may feel drowsy, confused, dizzy or sick to your stomach, overly drunk, happy or outgoing. You might also experience:
- loss of coordination
- blackouts
- inability to protect yourself from an attacker
- loss of memory
If you feel any of these symptoms, or if a drink looks, smells or tastes different, stop drinking and call the police. Seek medical help if you drank any of it. Some of these drugs, when mixed with alcohol, may cause death.
How to protect yourself and your friends
- Don't go out by yourself; go with a group of friends.
- Don't drink anything that has not been opened or prepared in front of you.
- If you accept a drink from another person, you are putting yourself at risk.
- Don't leave your drink alone or with other people. Take it with you.
Where to get help
If you feel you have been drugged and suspect you may have been sexually assaulted, there are people who are trained and sensitive to your needs. Although you may not be able to remember what happened, you still deserve help. How much help you accept is your choice. You may call any of the following services to support you through this difficult and scary experience. Remember, having fun is not an invitation to a crime; you are a victim and not to blame.
Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (C.C.A.S.A.)
237-5888 (24-hour crisis line)
C.C.A.S.A. offers information, counselling, somebody to go with you to a hospital or clinic, referrals and support. If necessary, transportation to a medical facility can be arranged for you. All calls are strictly confidential.
The Rockyview Hospital
7007 - 14 Street S.W.
The Calgary Sexual Response Team is located at the Rockyview Hospital Emergency Department. The team is specially trained to offer support, testing and treatment if you have been assaulted. It is important to seek help as soon as possible.
Sexual and Reproductive Health
228-7430 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Telephone consultations provide information in all areas of sexuality.
Family Planning Clinics
- Downtown: 323 - 7 Avenue S.E. → 264-3454
- Forest Lawn: 3810 - 17 Avenue S.E. → 248-0679
- Sunridge: 3465 - 26 Avenue N.E. → 219-6105
- South: 240 Midpark Way S.E. → 256-7184
These confidential clinics offer STD testing, treatment, emergency contraception and support.
Calgary Police Service
266-1234 (24 hours)
Police can help to ensure your safety. Talking to the police does not mean you are involved in an investigation. If you choose to report to the police, try to do it as soon after the assault as possible.
Here are some things you can do to help the police find out more about what happened to you:
- Try not to shower, bathe or change your clothes; evidence could be destroyed.
- Try not to disturb the area where the assault took place.
- The earlier you report the assault, the more likely the evidence gathered will be accurate.
- If you have been drugged, the evidence is most likely to show up in your urine if it is collected as soon as possible after the assault.
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