The carnival season and carnival are approaching their climax, with colorful and exuberant celebrations taking place in many places. There is often a lot of alcohol involved. But be careful: So-called knockout drops, which make you helpless, weak-willed or even unconscious, are secretly added to open drinks by criminals, especially at parties or discos. Sometimes for fun, but often to rob or abuse the victims.

According to the Saxony Police Information System (PASS), 50 crimes were registered for the period from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 in connection with knockout drops. There is definitely a large number of unreported cases, because many victims have inhibitions, are ashamed and therefore refrain from reporting the crime.

The mostly colorless drops with a faint solvent-like odor are often gammabutyrolactone (GBL) or gammahydroxybutyric acid (GHB). GHB is also called “liquid ecstasy”.

Taking KO drops slows down the activities of the brain and central nervous system. The effect begins just ten to twenty minutes after taking it and lasts up to four hours, sometimes considerably longer. The initial euphoria is followed by nausea, dizziness and sudden sleepiness. The victim becomes weak-willed, possibly even unconscious.

KO drops are a dangerous substance that is often secretly mixed into drinks. Victims of this drug quickly lose consciousness and later cannot remember what happened. It is important to know that knockout drops can also be a big problem at carnival celebrations and other events where alcohol is consumed in excess.

To protect yourself from knockout drops, you should never leave your drinks unattended. Also, never accept a drink offered to you by someone you don't trust or know. If you feel like someone has put something in your drink or if you feel unusually light-headed, seek help from friends or local security immediately.

Stay alert and protect yourself and your friends from the dangers of knockout drops. Don't let the party mood and exuberant mood lead you to behave carelessly. A few simple precautions can help ensure you get through the carnival season safely and unscathed.

Police conduct instructions...

…when attending events:

  • Feel responsible for your friends, pay attention to each other, even for unusual changes in behavior. Your circle of friends should know where you are.
  • Inform friends or parents where you are staying and when you are leaving.
  • Only accept drinks that are offered when they are originally closed or have them opened in your presence.
  • Do not leave your drinks unattended, e.g. organize them. B. a “drinks supervisor” when going to the dance floor.
  • Pay attention to your surroundings: Which contact attempts/establishments seem strange?
  • Be careful with drinks offered (“served”). Is the donor trustworthy?
  • Pay attention to the slightest changes in taste or smell. Never drink to “Ex” – even if the provider suggests or demands it!
  • If you are in danger, call the police via the emergency number.

...if you suspect that you have taken knockout drops:

  • If you suspect that drops have been administered, you should immediately call the police on 110 and the emergency services on 112.
  • If acute symptoms occur, those affected should go to the nearest emergency room or have someone they trust take them there.
  • The location staff should be notified and the victims should not be left alone or taken home by strangers.
  • KO drops can only detected in the urine or blood a few hours after ingestion ; quick action is necessary.

... if sexual assault/rape has or could have taken place:

  • Do not destroy evidence ; keep e.g. B. Clothing, linen, bed sheets or other items that the perpetrator has come into contact with or you think may have come into contact with it.
  • If possible, do not wash until you have been examined by a doctor.
  • Go for a medical examination as soon .
  • Do not clean the clothes you were wearing at the time of the crime or throw away torn clothing or underwear. These could be important clues.
  • Don't change the crime scene!
  • Try to record the events in the form of a memory log . This can be very important for the later interrogations and the proceedings.

More information, help and contacts for those affected can be found, for example, on the “ Weißer Ring eV ” website or on the “ State and Federal Police Crime Prevention ” website.

Source: Saxony Police

Also read:
Fraud: Fake police officers put victims under pressure


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