Aside from Friday's alleged incident, there have been very few cases of intentional drugging reported to UAPD, according to Detective Rolf Averill.

But that only means that not many cases are being reported, not that it isn't happening, Averill said.

With the concern that date rape drugs are more accessible, some companies are taking part in preventing a date rape situation from happening.

Jennifer Wilson Diez, a mental health clinician at the Oasis Center for Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence, estimated that she has dealt with three cases of people being intentionally drugged for the purposes of rape in the past year.

It is likely, however, that these kinds of things are happening on a much more frequent basis, she added.

"It is hard to know exactly how often this is going on," Diez said. "A lot of people don't report these kinds of things because they are afraid."

Cases of date rape are commonly not reported because the victim might be involved in illegal activities at the time of the incident, or black-out and not recall exactly what happened.

Two drugs are generally associated with date rape: Rohypnol, also known as "roofies," or GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), Averill said.

According to an article in the National Institute of Justice Journal, "roofies" are used primarily for muscle relaxation, to reduce seizures and to produce amnesia, which is a desired effect for some surgical procedures.

Whatever you drink, make sure you have control of your drink at all times. Don't accept drinks from others .. -Jennifer Wilson Diez, OASIS Center clinician

The drug is tasteless, odorless, colorless and dissolves to some degree in liquids. The drug mentally and physically incapacitates an individual, especially when used in combination with alcohol.

"GHB is so dangerous because it is easier to get a hold of and less complicated," Diez said. "Instead of having to get some off a dealer, it is possible to make it in your home."

But most importantly, Diez said, students need to control themselves when they drink.

"When you go out drinking, try not to drink so much," Diez said. "Whatever you drink, make sure you have control of your drink at all times. Don't accept drinks from others. If your drink tastes funny, don't drink it, and make sure that when you go out, you are with a group of people who will watch out for you in case you do become intoxicated."

Some bars around the country are also taking initiatives to ensure the safety of their customers.

Bartenders may provide all customers a coaster that will turn blue if a narcotic is sensed in the drink set on it.

However, Maloney's general manager, Danny Kirchofner said that he hadn't heard of the coasters and that he doesn't know of any other bars in Tucson that use them.

"We've never had a problem with that at Maloney's," Kirchofner said. "We train all of our bartenders to watch for suspicious looking people around the bar."

Students across campus are also developing more cautious drinking habits.

"When I drink, I am never alone," said marketing sophomore Rivka Chait. "I am always with my girlfriends, and when I get a drink, I get it myself and have them make it right in front of me."

In addition to the coasters, some Rohypnol manufacturers put a chemical in the drug that gives the color of the drink a bluish hue.

GHB was first synthesized in the 1920s. Researchers tried to develop it as an anesthetic agent, but it was banned by the FDA in 1990 after mixed results, the article stated.

"These drugs have been used in low doses recreationally because they are very fast acting," Diez said. "But the real danger comes when the drugs are mixed with alcohol. I have heard of cases where overdoses have caused death."

According to an article that appeared in this week's Newsweek, GHB is a liquid poison that is difficult to detect because it exits the body within six to 12 hours. Incidents of GHB-related emergency visits nationally increased from 56 in 1994 to 3,340 in 2001, according to statistics released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which was cited in the article.

People who suspect they have been victims of a crime of this nature can call the UAPD to file a report, or speak to a counselor at the Oasis Center for Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence, located in Old Main.