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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 12, 1997)
99 :dnesday • November 12, 1997 Lifestyles ' y lile ‘date rape drug’ is not common in B-CS, police m students to exercise caution in any social situations By Stephen Wells Staff writer 14 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case.” It is no coincidence so (many college students are fa- .withthis turn of phrase, especial- istudents of Texas A&M, who be- liiey consume more beer per capita f my other school in the nation. Af- many binges, though, good-old aedalcohol begins to lose some of , More and more, students are agtomore dangerous practices to e letter buzz. eofthe notorious drugs of the ’90s pnol, an illegal drug in the United ‘that was at once a prescription iised to treat sleep disorders. The , as been in the media for its use as kL/fdnig- te alcohol, rohypnol is a depres- iis the case with other depres- ^rohypnol should never be com- ^:ivith alcohol. Vnlones of the Brazos Valley Nar- ^ Trafficking Task Force described emistry of rohypnol. lie molecular shape is similar to k" Jones said. “From what people aiing, it’s supposed to be stronger. ?it’smixed with alcohol, there is a raunding effect. Say, instead of two ktwo being four, two times two .i twenty.” •tattitude narcotics officers are in- fed to take towards drugs like ro- rorm q |li5sharply defined. ■iir standpoint is that any pre- i ch ^iiondrug taken without a doctor’s ^ es f ttf ipti°n is dangerous,” Jones said. O pol is not available as a pre lion drug anymore. And any time you’re mixing drugs with alcohol you’re risking death.” The abuse of rohypnol is so wide spread its manufacturer, Roche Labora tories, began to issue warning pam phlets and posters to community centers. Among the warnings was a de scription of an amnesia effect experi enced by users for several hours after the drug is ingested. This amnesia effect has made the drug popular with rapists. Rodney Sigler, patrol sergeant for the College Station Police Department, said the environ ment students put themselves in may put them at risk. u When you hear of its use as a date rape drug, it is intro duced into the victims drink with out their knowledge. They become intoxicated to the point where they cannot resist an attack.” Dan Jones Brazos Valley Narcotics Trafficking Task Force “I think college is the prime target for it (rape assisted by rohypnol) because that is the dating age,” Sigler said. Jones said almost all accounts of the use of rohypnol in rape follow the same sequence of events. “When you hear of its use as a ‘date rape drug’ it is introduced into the victim’s drink without their knowledge,” Jones said. “They become intoxicated to the point that they cannot resist an attack.” Making rohypnol abuse harder to identify is the drug’s alcohol-like effects. The user will appear drunk but will pass a breathalizer test. Adding to the problem is the apparent ease with which the drug is bought. While rohypnol is a controlled substance ac cording to Schedule IV of the Federal Con trolled Substances Act, it is readily avail able as a prescription drug in Mexico. “It’s relatively easy for a person to go across the border and get some,” Jones said. “It’s not hard to get a prescription for it in Mexico, then transport it back into Texas with you.” Rohypnol may be making its way into College Station night life. “I personally don’t know of any con firmed cases,” Sigler said. “You do hear stories and rumors about it, but I don’t know of any arrests made.” Jones said students at A&M should not be afraid to contact the police if they see something suspicious. Students can call Crime Stoppers (775-8477) or any police agency to leave anonymous tips about use of the drug. “We get bogged down in some of these major conspiracy cases involving crack and heroin,” Jones said. “We’d like to get more information about rohypnol, and we’d like to encourage people to come forward with information.” Safeguarding against the negative ef fects of rohypnol is not impossible but does demand some concessions be made. Students should not go to the club or bar alone or accept open drinks from a stranger. Please see Drug on Page 5. Self-defense classes raise crime awareness By Marium Mohiuddin Staff writer T omorrow is the big Organic Chemistry test. That means an all-nighter for the typical student who probably procras tinated. After pouring hours and hours into the six chapters for the test, the clock strikes midnight and the student may decide, “I am tired, and I want to sleep.” So the long trek begins back to their car, which is parked quite a distance from the li brary. The path to the parking area is desert ed and through a dimly-lit area. Faintly, foot steps can be heard from behind. The footsteps become louder and they seem to become more intense and determined to get closer. However, the student, not trusting their instincts, decides, “it is just another stu dent walking to their car.” Connie Lavergne, author of Self Defense From the Beginning, said overcrowded pris ons, personnel shortages and liberal proba tion and parole standards contribute to vio lent crime. “The U.S. Department of Justice indicates in their annual statistical report that five out of six people will be victims of violent crimes (rape, robbery and assault), either completed or at tempted, at least once in their lives,” Lavergne said in her book. “About half the population will be victimized by violent crime more than once. Approximately one out of every 133 Americans will become a murder victim.” Many universities and colleges are facing an increase in violent crimes. Texas A&M University has various pro grams such as Dial-a-Ride and the Corps Es cort Service to ensure safety of students. These programs may help, but the best de fense for a student is to realize potential risks, assess dangerous situations and be prepared for a possible attack. A&M provides self-defense classes to teach students techniques for protecting them selves. These classes focus on physical as well as mental techniques in defending them selves against an attack. Classes are not only offered through the ki- neseology department but also through Uni versity Plus. Maiyum Shaheed, a senior psychology major, said the classes have helped her to re alize situations and how to handle problems. “It (the self-defense class) teaches you how to be alert and how to carry yourself," Shaheed said. “You have to walk with confidence and pay attention to what is going on. People are not aware of their surroundings; they become engrossed in themselves or their conversations. They do not look around and pay attention.” Please see Classes on Page 5. K . DEREK DEMERE/The Battalion The Kinesiology department offers self-defense classes to students in the G. Rollie White Coliesum. , rofes ?re wi lal witl 3) /0 l jesu' ^Get 1 Free - Cookies & Brownies Not valid with any other offer. Expiration date: 11/26/97. ^uncil jne® Texas Avenue • 694-7850 o.m. ifBShopping Center, College Station) hnittet jssedTs about catering! Gourmet Coffee Menu, Fudge Brownie Delight & Banana Split, all Cakes &: Pies ice cream, yougart shakes, and cakes luncil s ;nera p .mK onfirel indisc ■registtaU 011 Business Students Thursday, November 13, 7:00 p.m. a Bat listi id fac vities, ri'Ho :he de otlces HA I § Pre-Registration for Spring 1998 M nol 4 HEN I the 313. ((JLREs Room 159 Wehner Building IHY; Get answers to questions and plan your Spring 1998 class schedule! Mule for the Pre-Registration Workshop: 7:20 p.m. Introduction and Orientation to the Workshop - How to get the most out of the sessions and the kinds of questions to ask departmental advisors. 9:00 p.m. Break Out Sessions: [iHBustness Students-Do you know the Basics? This 'ion will include information about choosing a major, fcr level admission criteria, the Certificate in National Business, Study Abroad programs, degree iit, and the “Bonfire” comptiter system. iking by Majors Advisors from each business major 'answer questions on degree requirements and other ie$. **Throughout the program, Academic Advisors will he available to answer questions** bring a copy of your degree audit: BAILABLE AT HEATON HALL - COST $1.00 Kll majors! J Spend Summer Session 1 os in^ WHAT COURSES WILL I TAKE, ? You will take a total of two courses hours), consisiting of the following course: ARTS 350: Arts and Civilization Prof. Joe Hutchinson or Prof, Paolo Barucchicri PSYC 489: Special Topics In the History of Psychology: Psychology and the Renaissance Prof. Dave Woehr For More Information, Contact: Prof, Joe Hutchinson 337 EUAC 845-0584 E-mail: jmhutch<ff>arcttonr.Xantu.edu Office hours: MWF 3:00-4:40 Thursday 11:00-12:00 or by appointment Prof. Dave Woehr 209 PSYC 84S-2097 E-mail: />IVJCafPsyc.TAMV.Edu Office hours: Thursday 8:30-9:30/11:00-12:30 or by appointment study Abroad Programs * tei Bizzcli Hall west - 845-OS44 T# A” TAKE THIS JOB AND LOVE IT! Energetic, creative and outgoing? Enjoy working with other interesting, dedicated people? Waet a part-time job that’s fun and pays enough to justify your time? Like Santa, we could all use a little holiday help. So here's our plan. You help us, we'll help you. 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(512) 349-0555 HOUSTON Post Oak at Westheimer (713) 960-1722 SAN ANTONIO 333 Northwest Loop 410 (210) 341-7848 The Container Store The Container Store promotes a smoke-free, drug-free environment. EOE. For more information, contact Carolyn Smith at 845-8850 Announcing Texas A&M University General Libraries Booksale in the Academic Building Rotunda Silent Auction Thursday, November 13 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 RM. General Booksale Friday, November 14 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 RM.