Editor’s Note: The following column was submitted by an Onward State staff member. The identity of this staffer has been kept anonymous to avoid any conflict with the parties mentioned in this post.

It was a typical Thursday night. My friends and I excitedly headed to Champs Downtown, our go-to bar in State College. Known for its cheap drinks and great music, it’s our favorite place to unwind. But what started as an ordinary evening quickly escalated into a terrifying experience that would forever change my perception of nightlife.

I began the night with a complimentary Happy Thursday canned seltzer, a promotion for purchasing a LineLeap line skip. After finishing that, I ordered a double vodka soda, taking advantage of the bar’s Thursday night special. We danced and sang along to the music, fully immersed in our usual routine.

It wasn’t long before my friends noticed something was off. Despite having only one seltzer and one double vodka soda, much less than what would typically lead me to extreme drunkenness, they saw that I was far too impaired. Concerned for my safety, a friend decided to help me get home. 

As soon as I stepped outside, I was hit by a wave of disorientation. I couldn’t see much at all, and I couldn’t remember how to move my legs. I have no memory of the walk home after just one block, but I was fortunate to have a friend help me home. Without them, I might not have made it.

The rest of the night was a blur. I recall fragments of coming back to reality, struggling to see straight, and feeling lost. My friend helped me inside my apartment and made sure I was okay. I haven’t vomited since I was eight years old, but I learned the next day that I threw up everywhere. I woke up to red vomit stains all over my bathmat. I am so thankful I had a friend with me that night.

I woke up the next morning still feeling drugged and disoriented. I went to the emergency room and filed a police report. I underwent tests for drugs and was treated with an IV throughout the day. The results confirmed I had tested positive for Rohypnol, a common date rape drug. I luckily tested negative for other hard substances.

I constantly think about what would’ve happened if it wasn’t for my friends noticing how impaired I was, and having a friend help me get home safe and take care of me. My legs were barely working. I couldn’t see anything. Would I have woken up on the street?

Throughout college, I had consistent nightmares of being roofied. I always heard stories of girls getting their drinks spiked at bars and fraternities, which created a huge fear. I’ve always been so careful when I go out. I hold my drinks with my hand covering the top of the cups. I even did that the night I got roofied. Still, my worst nightmare came true despite all of my precautions.

This experience changed my life forever. Now, even when I’m just out for a casual drink, there are moments when I feel the same way I did that night. I’ll have one or two drinks, but I’m suddenly hit with dizziness and confusion. It’s hard to shake the feeling, and I wake up the next morning with the same disorientation I felt the day after I was roofied. It comes in waves, even when I am enjoying myself responsibly.

I always think to myself, why did this random person choose me? Why didn’t they try to pursue an act of sexual assault against me? Why did they waste money to buy drugs and spike a random girl having fun with her friends, for no reason?

There have been many other stories of this happening to girls I am close friends with and even beyond that. One of my friends believes she was roofied at Doggie’s Pub this year. Another said she was roofied at Champs Downtown a week ago. I know multiple people who have been drugged at the Shandygaff. This is happening too often but doesn’t get talked about enough.

It’s important to note that bars aren’t to blame for these incidents, as there’s little they can do to stop people from sneaking drugs in. 

However, in July, California passed a law requiring alcohol-serving establishments to provide free drug testing devices to patrons. State College bars could follow suit by offering liquid drug test sticks, making them available for free to anyone who requests one, as a proactive safety measure.

The drink-spiking epidemic doesn’t just happen at the bars. It’s more common at the fraternities, where the brothers have control over the drinks they are serving. They buy drugs and put them in the handles of liquor they give out at the parties.

There has now been at least one instance of drink-spiking at a fraternity for every year I’ve been a student, which is now four years. I constantly hear stories of younger girls ending up in the hospital after being roofied at a frat party. But again, it’s not talked about and not reported enough. There are more victims out there who haven’t spoken up, so an exact statistic of Penn State can’t be measured.

A study from South Carolina found that around 8% of American college students surveyed believed they had been given a spiked drink at some point. Accurately measuring the frequency of these incidents can be challenging, as many victims are unaware that date rape drugs can be detected through urine or hair tests. Others may be ashamed or scared to report the incident.

Many of the State College incidents go unreported and unaccounted for. That creates an even bigger problem as the police, bars, and Interfraternity Council (IFC) cannot do anything to solve the issue. Most girls, who are scared to report the cases, don’t want to pay for a hospital bill or are unsure if they’ve been spiked for sure.

The truth is, this problem won’t go away on its own. It’s not enough to shrug it off as the fault of a few bad people who decide to roofie random girls. Law enforcement needs to step up. I’m still waiting for answers on my case and calls to the State College Police Department inquiring about other incidents have gone unanswered. These predators are still out there. We need more transparency and accountability on behalf of the police department and the IFC.

Bars should take responsibility by offering drink test kits and raising awareness. Penn State should suspend, or even ban fraternities that allow these dangerous behaviors to continue. But none of this can happen if we stay silent. If you think you’ve been drugged, it’s time to report it. Every unreported case keeps the cycle going. It’s time for real action, not just from victims, but from the institutions that are supposed to protect us.

Education is another crucial piece of the puzzle. Students, bar staff, and fraternity members need to be better informed about the signs of being drugged and how to respond if it happens. Bars can play a role by training their employees to recognize suspicious behavior and intervene when necessary. Additionally, Penn State should implement mandatory workshops on drink safety during orientation and throughout the year. By providing students with knowledge and resources, it can create a preventative mindset rather than a reaction.

It’s important to be informed about the drugs that could potentially end up in your drinks. Rohypnol, the drug where the term “roofie” comes from, creates the effects of extreme drowsiness, loss of consciousness, amnesia, slowed heart rate, slurred speech, and nausea, according to WebMD. It disrupts your central nervous system, causing extreme muscle relaxation and making it difficult to walk or stand. It can also lead to unconsciousness and memory loss, with victims often unable to recall what happened. The effects start within 30 minutes and peak around two hours later, with just one milligram staying in your system for eight to 12 hours.

Other common drink-spiking drugs include Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and Ketamine. According to WebMD, GHB can cause drowsiness, confusion, and muscle weakness. It may lead to more severe symptoms like seizures, a slowed heart rate, or even being sent into a coma. The effects typically begin within 15 to 30 minutes and can last up to six hours. 

Similar to GHB, Ketamine may cause hallucinations and dizziness, along with nausea, vomiting, and changes in heart rate. It can trigger high blood pressure, seizures, or coma. The effects start within 30 minutes and can last for an hour or two, but some symptoms may linger for over 24 hours.

It’s hard to decipher if a drink has been spiked. Rohypnol typically comes in a light green pill with a blue core. When dissolved in a clear drink, it may turn the liquid blue, though some generic versions may not include this dye. GHB is usually a colorless, odorless liquid, though it can also come in a white powder or pill form. It’s normally tasteless but may have a slightly salty flavor. Ketamine is either a clear liquid or an off-white powder, and it also lacks any distinct smell or taste, making it difficult to detect.

Penn State has resources around campus for students who have had their drink spiked, sexually assaulted, and much more. 

Becca Geiger Wallen, the associate director of the Gender Equity Center, said the center is a confidential resource for students who believe they’ve been roofied, those who are victims of sexual violence, or secondary survivors of someone who’s experienced sexual violence.

“We can talk through what a legal process to police in the courts could look like, or discuss what the university administrative response is,” Wallen said.

Wallen also noted that students can receive supportive measures, including academic accommodations, a referral to CAPS counseling, or a safe therapist downtown.

“If you or a friend think that’s happened to you, we highly encourage you to seek medical assistance, especially with an unknown substance,” Wallen added.

Penn State’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides confidential counseling to all students and specifically offers support for those who have experienced sexual assault, harassment, dating or relationship violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, or retaliation. CAPS offers individual counseling, support groups, and emergency appointments to help students in need.

CAPS operates 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. If there is an emergency after hours, contact the 24/7 Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400. Folks can also text the Crisis Text Line at 741741 by texting “LIONS.”

Students can also make an anonymous report without fear of retaliation by calling the Penn State Hotline, 1-800-560-1637, which is available 24/7. 

NightCap, a drink-spiking prevention tool, is a way to stay safe while enjoying the State College nightlife. The company offers drink covers in the form of secret hair scrunchies, keychains, and disposable stickers.

Due to my incident, I now use my NightCap at the bars. Girls often come up to me commenting on how cute it is, but the truth is, it’s not cute. The way that it’s made makes it fashionable, but nobody should have to use these. Nothing is flattering about covering my drink with a scrunchie. Girls should be able to enjoy a night out and drink socially at the many bars in downtown State College without worrying about our safety. Yet, since this problem persists, every woman should consider using a NightCap to stay protected.

When partying at the fraternities, it’s best to avoid drinking the liquor they provide. You can’t always be sure if a bottle of liquor has been compromised beforehand. The frats offer beer, which you can open the can yourself or they will open it in front of you.

Stay with your friends, never take drinks from someone else, and go to the emergency room immediately if you think you or a friend has been drugged. Change won’t happen overnight, but we can attempt to create a safer environment where everyone can enjoy the nightlife without fear.