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Many dangers lurk by K.O. drops on summer festivals
During the summer months, many festivals and celebrations take place in the open air. Some criminals take advantage of the relaxed atmosphere to mix dangerous knockout drops into the drinks of unsuspecting revelers. Those affected may be victims of theft or sexual abuse.
K.-o.-drops secretly mixed in drinks
In the warm summer months, public parties and convivial celebrations take place in many places. Some criminals could use the relaxed atmosphere to mix knockout drops into drinks and sexually abuse victims, for example, the Association of German Pharmacists Associations (ABDA) warns in a recent press release.
Katja Grieger from the Federal Association of Women's Counseling Centers and Women's Emergency Services (bff) said: "The issue of sexual abuse in connection with K.-o.-Tropfen is still relevant at the women's emergency calls and counseling centers."
During the public festivals held during the summer months, criminals could take advantage of the relaxed situation and mix cocktails with revelers in their drinks. Affected persons can become victims of sexual violence. (Image: Olesia Bilkei / fotolia.com) Do not accept open drinks from strangers
"K.O.-drops have different effects, depending on your physical condition, how long the last meal was last, alcohol consumption, drug or drug use. Depending on the dosage, the effects range from relaxation, sexual disinhibition to deep unconsciousness, which can also be life-threatening, "it says on the Internet portal" ko-tropfen-nein-danke.de ".
Often, the drops make willless and motionless. Experts therefore advise against accepting open drinks from strangers or party acquaintances and not leaving their open drink unattended.
Color and largely odorless
However, knockout drops are not only administered at public events. Experts have warned for years that the funds are also used in the private sphere in connection with sexual abuse.
"The treacherous: The substances are colorless and largely odorless. Mixed with a drink or in the meal are K.O.-drops for unsuspecting persons often not to smell or taste, "it says on the Internet portal.
Better controls and stricter penalties required
According to ABDA, criminals buy medicines without a prescription or authorization via the Internet or call centers. Gabriele Overwiening from the Executive Board of the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists, therefore demanded: "The international criminal deal with medicines and chemicals must be better controlled and severely punished."
Substance is also used as a party drug
According to the data, perpetrators mainly use gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) as knockout drops. In lower doses, the substance has a mood-enhancing and stimulating effect and is therefore used as a party drug (liquid ecstasy). However, larger amounts of it have a soporific and muscle-relaxing effect. This is exploited by the attackers targeted for the exercise of sexual violence, but also for robbery or theft. GHB is a colorless liquid that can be easily mixed with drinks without the victim noticing.
According to the experts, it takes effect after about fifteen minutes and lasts several hours. The victims can usually remember the next day badly and are very unsure what has happened to them. You suffer from severe headaches, dizziness and nausea.
Those affected should seek professional help
"If you notice a 'film break' despite low alcohol levels, you should contact a counseling center to discuss the next steps. Although many substances are detectable only for a short time. But a long time after the incident, a consultation can be very helpful for processing, "said Grieger.
Some experts recommend keeping urine cool in a clean glass for future reference due to the limited time to detect it. If they suspect, they should contact the police and / or a doctor. (Ad)