OTTAWA – Today Canadian Alliance MP James Moore joined with the Carleton University Canadian Alliance Campus Club to raise awareness of the dangers of date-rape drugs, and to gather support for his Private Member’s Motion (M-458) calling on the federal government to classify date-rape drugs as weapons in the Criminal Code and to establish new national guidelines in the collection and documentation of evidence in sexual assault.

“In recent years a new kind of violence against women has reared it's ugly head at parties, on campuses and in nightclubs.  Date-rape drugs have become a violent weapon used to victimize women,” said Moore.  “It is long overdue for the government to act.”

Along with the event at Carleton University, 48 Canadian Alliance campus clubs are involved in the effort across Canada.  “From the University of Victoria, to York University, to Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, and all points in between, we’re pushing the need to protect students from the dangers of date-rape drugs,” says Moore.

Clubs are passing out information to students outlining the dangers of date-rape drugs and how to be protected from them.  Students are being invited to sign petitions encouraging the government to classify date-rape drugs as weapons in the Criminal Code.  Both the petition and the brochure being handed out can be found at www.jamesmoore.org

Date rape drugs such as GHB and Rohypnol are easily slipped into drinks and food; once ingested they act rapidly, rendering the victim unconscious and unresponsive with little or no memory of what happens while the drug is active in their system.  Worse, all traces of the drug can leave the body within 72 hours, and they do not show up in routine toxicology screenings or blood tests.

Speaking to students at Carleton University, Moore said: “Awareness is the first line of defence for young people targeted by this cowardly assault.  Second is the strong arm of the law.  Date-rape drugs shouldn’t be treated the same way in the Criminal Code as heroin or cocaine because they are used to victimize other people, involuntarily.  Young Canadians deserve better laws to protect them from sexual assault.  Its time for the federal government to stepped up to fight the cowardly use of these drugs.”

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 For more information:
Office of James Moore MP @ 613.992.9650 or moorej@parl.gc.ca