As native police departments warn folks about an “alarming” rise in experiences of drink spiking at bars and golf equipment, a State House lawmaker has filed a invoice within the hopes of defending “date rape drug” victims.
State Sen. Paul Feeney proposed the laws titled, “An Act establishing testing protocol and care for victims of date rape drugs,” following a viral TikTok submit from Mansfield resident and Northeastern University scholar Brinly Meelia — who talked about struggling to search out care after she was allegedly roofied.
While within the hospital after the suspected drugging incident, Meelia was informed, “Unfortunately because you weren’t sexually assaulted or raped, we can’t test you for any date rape drugs… since there was no criminal activity involved.”
In the wake of this episode and police warning folks about drinks being spiked, Feeney filed a invoice to create an ordinary apply for date rape drug testing in hospitals — no matter whether or not somebody was sexually assaulted or raped.
“It is critical that we create a uniform testing standard across our hospital system for the presence of date rape drugs — whether or not a sexual assault has occurred,” mentioned Feeney, a Democrat from Foxboro.
“Ensuring that the proper resources are available to victims of date rape drugs should be a top priority as we address this alarming and illegal practice,” he added. “I look forward to partnering with and advocating for survivors this legislative session.”
His invoice would create a “Date Rape Drug Response and Intervention Task Force” to check, report and suggest rules about hospital look after victims of date rape medicine.
The activity pressure can be assigned with accumulating information and monitoring confirmed drugging incidents and issuing suggestions on standardizing care and testing at hospitals throughout the state for victims, no matter whether or not or not a sexual assault has occurred.
The invoice would additionally require the state Department of Public Health to supply on its web site assets on sorts of recognized date rape medicine — and supply assets to people who suspect they’ve been drugged. The invoice would enable DPH to require hospitals situation a urine pattern or related drug take a look at to establish the presence of a date rape drug upon request by a affected person exhibiting signs.
Last 12 months, Boston Police despatched out an alert about quite a few folks reporting they have been latest victims of drink spiking at native bars. Also, Barnstable Police mentioned the division had obtained experiences of bar patrons feeling the consequences of doable date rape medicine.
Both departments warned patrons concerning the dangerousness of scentless, colorless and tasteless medicine akin to Rohypnol, often known as roofies, being positioned within the drinks of unsuspecting victims.
Other medicine generally used in a similar way are GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid) or Ketamine. Police urged patrons to be vigilant and watch their beverage always.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”