Community Safety Advisory: Reports of drugs added to alcohol

by Betsy Chapman

Wake Forest is issuing this public awareness announcement about an issue of concern for the campus community.

Wake Forest University Police have received three reports this semester alleging that a student was given a drink that had been drugged. The most recent incident was reported this weekend.

Wake Forest takes these allegations seriously, and the Winston-Salem Police Department is investigating the latest incident. Students are reminded that putting a drug in another person’s drink is illegal and dangerous. In addition to being a crime, inducing incapacitation violates the University’s Student Code of Conduct and our culture of valuing each other with respect and dignity.

The following are personal safety recommendations for environments where alcohol is served:

  • Know what you’re drinking.
  • Don’t leave a drink unattended.
  • Don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know or trust.
  • Be aware of sudden changes in how your body feels. Signs a drink may have been drugged include feeling woozy, drowsy, having trouble making decisions, difficulty in moving or controlling your muscles, and/or experiencing mental confusion.
  • Seek medical attention immediately. Many of these drugs leave the body quickly, within 12 to 72 hours.

More information about alcohol safety and drugging is available on the RAINN website here and here, as well as on the website of the Office on Women’s Health.

Look out for each other: If you see signs of someone in trouble or of someone who might be inducing incapacitation, step in. Report the incident to law enforcement and contact one of the resources listed below for support. Tips on how to assist someone who may have been drugged are here.

The following University resources are available for confidential information and support:

Safe Office: [Confidential]
Helpline 24/7: 336-758-5285, Reynolds Gym, B104-107

Student Health Service: [Confidential]
336-758-5218, Lower Level of Reynolds Gymnasium

University Counseling Center: [Confidential]
336-758-5273, Reynolda Hall, Room 117

Office of the Chaplain: [Confidential]
336-758-5017, Reynolda Hall, Suite 8

University Police
336-758- 5911

Wake Forest University Title IX Office
336-758-7258, Reynolda Hall, Room 307

 

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Resources:

Winston-Salem Police Department
336-773-7700
911 in an emergency

Family Services/Forsyth County
24/7 Sexual Assault help line: 336-722-4457
24/7 Domestic Violence help line: 336-723-8125

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center [Confidential]
Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157

Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center [Confidential] 
3333 Silas Creek Pkwy, Winston-Salem, NC 27103

 

 

Wake Alert Emergency Notification System

Wake Forest University
See our Wake Alert Emergency Updates page

Contact

To contact the Office of Family Engagement or Family Communications, please visit our contact page.

 

For mental health assistance: 336-758-CARE (2273) is a service that ensures someone will always be available (i.e., 24/7 M-F, weekends and university holidays) to provide caring and thoughtful consultation services for Wake Forest students in need of mental health assistance or support. You can also visit we.wfu.edu for resources.