Police in Kuujjuaq issue warning about spiked drinks

Police in Kuujjuaq, shown here at sunset, are warning anyone who drinks alcoholic beverages to watch out for potentially spiked drinks. (FILE PHOTO)

As about 80 youth were set to arrive in Kuujjuaq for this week’s National Inuit Youth Summit, the Kativik Regional Police Force sent out a notice warning about spiked drinks and said there have been “a few people that has been drugged.”

“The more people who know about it, the better. 

Thank you, let’s keep our community safe together,” said a notice posted on the Kuujjuaq Facebook news site, which offered no details on the drink-spiking incidents.

The KRPF suggested three “simple rules” to stay safe throughout the evening:”

• do not accept drinks from strangers;

• do not leave your drink unattended!;

• do not drink and drive — “if you, or someone you are with is experiencing any of the following symptoms: drowsiness, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, vision problems, loss of consciousness (blackout), seizures, memory loss, problems breathing, tremors, sweating and/or heart rate please seek medical care immediately.”

“If you notice anything suspicious please do not hesitate to contact the KRPF at 819-964-9111,” the notice said.

Some of the drugs which can be placed in drinks to create drowsiness or even unconsciousness include Rohypnol (Roofie) which is a sedative, GHB, a drug which can cause unconsciousness, and Ketamine (Special K) an anesthetic used on animals.

Other rules offered on websites dealing with spiked drinks include:

• drink unopened bottled drinks or cans over glass drinks;

• avoid sharing other people’s drinks;

• stop drinking anything that tastes funny. Be aware that drinks can be spiked with alcohol, for example, vodka, to get you drunk more quickly than you expect; and,

• know that women can and do spike.

In Kuujjuaq, where the legal drinking age is 18 — like everywhere else in Quebec — there are four places where you can buy alcoholic drinks: the lounge at the Auberge Kuujjuaq Inn, the dining room at that hotel, the local Ikkaqivvik bar and the co-operative association store, where beer and wine are sold.