May 14, 2008

I don’t remember much about the other night. I do remember waking up the next morning, still in the clothes I had put on the night before. All my stuff was sitting on my dresser I had taken with me, my keys, my cell phone, some cash. My shoes were neatly lined up on the floor by my bed and my jacket was hanging on my bedpost. And, oh, how my head was aching. I felt as if I had been hit by a bus. What in the world happened the previous night I kept asking myself.

It was a typical weekend night. My girlfriend and I always go out to our favorite club, have a few drinks, dance the night away, just have a lot of fun. We pinky promised each other a long time ago we would always go home with each other, never with anyone else. We watch out for each other, make sure nobody messes with the other, and never drink so much that we aren’t aware of where we are or what we are doing. It has always been good, innocent fun.

Until the other night.

We were really dressed up that night. Nice slim jeans, high heels, edgy shirts. It wasn’t long after walking in the door that we were getting hit on. We danced a few, joked around with some of the regulars that were there, had some innocent fun. I was talking to this guy that I thought was really nice. He was a pretty smart guy, very informed about politics and the world in general and we were engrossed in conversation.

I didn’t think anything about it. We danced a couple dances together and chatted some more. He offered to get me something to drink and I said sure. I stood with my friends while he went to the bar and he came back and handed me a glass of wine.

I remember drinking it and THAT is the last thing I remember until the next morning.

I was the victim of a laced drink. I have no idea what it was, whether it was a date rape drug or some other form of narcotic. I can’t prove it because I don’t have any toxicology reports. I didn’t go to the hospital. I didn’t go to the police. But I know there’s no way I could have lost all frame of movement and memory from one glass of wine. I can drink any sailor under the table and am damn proud of it.

So how in the hell did I get in the condition I was in if something hadn’t been put in that drink.

I was extremely fortunate that my friend was there, as well as several other male friends that we knew. She realized that something wasn’t quite right with me, that I was acting strange, but thought perhaps I had more to drink than she realized. She also told me the guy was all over me. Her and one of our male friends decided it was time to get me home. Unfortunately, the guy that gave me the laced drink thought he was taking me home, at least that’s what he told them. He informed them that he had bought me several drinks and that I was his for the night.

After a confrontation that was broken up by one of the bouncers, also a friend of mine, they got me out to the car. From what I was told, they had to pull over numerous times so I could throw up, once even falling out of the car head first onto the ground. They finally got me home, carried me inside, put me to bed, and left. I have zero recollection of any of that (and fortunately no bumps on my head from the fall).

When I woke up the next morning, I was still in a haze and stayed that way all day long. Whatever had been put in that drink had been some powerful stuff to have knocked me out that badly, and for that long. It took me until the second day that I started to feel “right” again.

I would much rather have kept this story to myself. I’m embarrassed that I let something like this happen in the first place. I am too old and too wise and I should have known better. I read about this stuff all the time and think there’s no way this could happen to me. Well, let me tell you, it’s easier than you think to be a target.

To all you women out there (and possibly men as well), some things to remember when you’re out on the town:

• Number one. Never, ever go out alone. For all the responsible and practical reasons.
• Number two. Never accept a drink from a stranger. We learned when we were kids never to accept candy from strangers, why wouldn’t we heed that same warning as adults. However, if you DO decide to accept a drink from someone, take the following measures. Accompany this person to the bar and always make sure the bartender gives you your drink, not the person buying it for you. It only takes a second to slip something in.
• And finally, number three. If you fail to follow these tips, and you feel something isn’t quite right, immediately let someone at the bar/club know so they can deal with the situation and assist you in whatever way they can.

I count my lucky stars I was where I was, and with whom I was that night. Had it not been for my friends watching out for me, I don’t know what would have happened, and I don’t even want to think about it. It taught me a very valuable lesson that I will never forget, and never let happen again. Watch your drinks, watch your “wanna-be” friends, and please be careful out there.

Don’t let yourself become the next victim!

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