Chemical submission: what is it?
Parties and festive events are moments of relaxation and pleasure for many people. However, these media can also pose health and safety risks, particularly with respect to chemical submission. Chemical submission is the use of mind-altering substances, such as GHB and ketamine, to alter a person's state of consciousness without their consent. In this article, we'll look at the dangers of chemical submission in a party setting, as well as what steps you can take to protect yourself.
The dangers of chemical submission:
Chemical submission can lead to many adverse effects on the health and safety of the person targeted. The effects of GHB and ketamine can vary depending on the dose and how they are taken. In general, these substances can cause states of confusion, disorientation, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, seizures, memory loss and even comas. The effects of chemical submission can also have long-term consequences, including mental health.
How to protect yourself:
There are several measures to take to protect yourself against chemical submission in a festive environment. First of all, it is important to always watch your drink and never leave it unattended. It is also recommended not to accept any drink from an unknown person and not to drink a drink of unknown origin. It's also important to watch out for friends and report suspicious behavior to event security or the police.
The Drink Safe tests:
In addition to taking these preventative measures, it is also possible to protect against chemical submission by using the Drink Safe tests. These tests can detect the presence of GHB and ketamine in a drink in just a few seconds. Just place a drop of the drink on the test and check if it changes color. If the color changes, this indicates the presence of one of these substances and it is recommended not to drink the drink.
What are the substances concerned?
These are psychoactive substances, that is to say, which act on the functioning of the brain, causing psychological and behavioral changes. Malicious people use them to reduce the victim's level of vigilance in order to make them more vulnerable to aggression.
Medications :
These are the substances most regularly used in France.
• Antihistamines and sedatives (For example Cetirizine/Zyrtecset, Dornomil/Doxylamine )
• Benzodiazepines and related products , used as anxiolytics and/or soporifics (for example Lexomil/Bromazepam, Valium/Diazepam , Imovane / Zopiclone, Zolpidem/Stilnox…)
• Antidepressants and Opioids
Other substances :
MDMA, cocaine, alcohol, KETAMINE, GHB (gamma-hydroxy-butyric acid, an anesthetic classified as a narcotic in France).
In 2019, the cases of chemical submissions by KETAMINE, MDMA and GHB are the most numerous among non-drug substances according to a survey by the Center for Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependence and Addictovigilance of IDF.
What are the effects?
sedation
“This is the effect most sought after by people with malicious intent, it allows the level of vigilance of the victim to be sufficiently reduced in order to make them more vulnerable to aggression. The desired effect is beyond the simple drop in alertness and below coma. It corresponds to a state where the victim is unconscious but retains his motor skills. »
Other effects sought: amnesia and disinhibition
“The victim's amnesia allows the aggressors to commit their chemical submission without leaving him any memory, hence a complicated filing of a complaint for the victims: the description of the aggressor, the circumstances and places of the aggression are unclear. or even non-existent. By damaging the memory of their victims, the aggressors protect themselves against the legal system. »
Reference : Chemical submission, inventory, mutations, prevention and prospects , thesis by Maxime Samaille, 2021.
How to react ?
If you think you are a victim or a witness of chemical submission, act quickly by calling the police through the 17 where the emergency room through the 15 (or 112, European number). It is important to file a complaint quickly to allow for medico-legal and toxicological treatment. Indeed, the lifespans in the body are from a few hours to a few days in the blood, a few days in the urine and detectable longer in the hair.
In cases of chemical needlestick or sexual assault, it is important to screen for sexually transmitted infections within 48 hours.
Why can the victim feel guilt?
" With the use of a psychoactive substance, defense mechanisms of the victim are attenuated even extinguished . When the victim is conscious , this absence of defense during the aggression is experienced as traumatic and installs a feelings of guilt and shame more marked.
When the victim is unconscious via chemical amnesia caused by the psycho-active substance, the aggression causes numerous questions and one feeling of emptiness described as extremely traumatic by the victims, like a feeling of loss of control. »
Reference : Chemical submission, inventory, mutations, prevention and prospects , thesis by Maxime Samaille, 2021.
A few tips
- preferably stay in a group, be accompanied by friends who "watch" and can notice incoherent behavior ,
- have a member of the group who does not drink and can bring their friends,
- do not take your eyes off your glass, do not accept a drink from a stranger,
- try to "manage" your alcohol consumption (the effect of medication increases when you drink alcohol).
- use anti-intrusion covers (glass caps): https://ama-askmeanything.com/collections/capuchons-de-verre
- Use DRINK SAFE technologies rapid beverage screening tests: https://ama-askmeanything.com/
- Urinary multi-drug screening tests : https://ama-askmeanything.com/Collections/test-narcocheck/products/test-urinaire-5-en-1-narcocheck
Chemical submission in a festive environment is a real and present danger in our society. It is important to take preventive measures to protect against these risks and to make known the dangers of chemical submission to our loved ones. By using Drink Safe testing and taking care to monitor our drink, we can significantly reduce the risk of chemical exposure and enjoy our nights out safely.
