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Instructions for people who have received knockout drops

Medicines and drugs that are, for example, added to alcoholic drinks are called knockout drops. They can cause confusion, nausea, memory loss or fatigue and it can be difficult to distinguish the symptoms from intoxication caused by alcohol. The motive for drugging the victim may be sexual exploitation or preparation for robbery or vandalism.

If you suspect that you have received knockout drops or been drugged in some other way, it is important to act quickly. Knockout drops are not necessarily always visible in laboratory tests and some drugs disappear from the body within 24 hours.

If you have received knockout drops, you must

  1. If you’re in a restaurant, ask for help from a friend or the restaurant staff and seek safety. Stay in a crowd; don’t go alone to a closed-off area like the restroom. If you’re feeling unwell, leave the restroom door open so that your situation is noticed even if you’re unable to ask for help. Wherever you are, call the emergency number 112 or ask someone nearby to call.
  2. Go to the emergency department or, for example, to the Seri Support Center. The SERI Support Center provides assistance if drugs were involved or if you suspect sexual violence occurred. It is important to take a drug test as soon as possible. You can request via the emergency center that the police come with you to the blood collection considering the criminal process, if there is no actual health reason for the blood collection.
  3. Drugging is a serious crime. Make a report of the crime. Regarding the investigation of the crime, it is important to notify the police about what happened even when no drug test has been done. Make a report of the crime
  4. Seek help and support. Falling victim of a crime can cause physical and psychological consequences. You can, for example, contact the Victim Support Finland:
    Victim Support Finland 116 006
    RIKUchat – service online
    Support person from the service point

If you suspect that another person has been given knockout drops, don’t leave them alone. Inform the restaurant staff about the situation. Make sure they safely leave the premises and get home or to another safe location. Help the person to get to the emergency department to take drug tests. If the person has fallen victim to a sexual crime, help him/her to get in contact with, for example, the Seri Support Center.

Don’t be alone

Do not be alone with the experience. As a victim, you may feel shame and guilt about what happened, but being drugged is never the victim’s fault. However, it is common to feel shame and it can affect the victim’s well-being. You can talk confidentially about what happened with a loved one and, if necessary, seek professional help from, for example, the Victim Support Finland.

Other services you can seek help from include MIELI Mental Health Finland’s Crisis Helpline 09 2525 0113 and crisis support services at the Rape Crisis Center Tukinainen.

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