Newspapers / Methodist University Student Newspaper / Dec. 2, 1996, edition 1 / Page 2
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2 Monday, December 2,1996 COLLEGE NEWS Pride ROHYPNOL from page 1 documents. The tablets dissolve eas ily in beverages such as soft drinks, beer, and liquor, leaving no taste, color, or odor. Rohypnol is becoming the drug of choice for would-be rapists whose identity is often masked by the amnesia-like effects of the drug, said Pamela Smith, a registered nurse at Boynton Health Services Women’s Clinic. “There are women found in cars without clothes or who can’t re member anything except that they feel violated,” she said. Several days after the early October incident, Kristin had pieced together what happened, combining her own shards of memory and her friend Julie’s recollections. Shortly after Kristin met the > man with long hair, she began to act “wasted and drunk,” even though she had consumed little alcohol that night. Kristin said she thinks the man spiked her drink with a Rohypnol tablet when he leaned close to her to introduce himself. The drug’s effects can begin within minutes, said Ann Marie Anglin, a spokesperson for Hoffinan-LaRoche, Rohypnol’s manufacturer. And they apparently did with Kristin. What started out as innocent dancing with the man quickly pro gressed into the man’s attempt to es cort Kristin out of the bar. Kristin be lieves the bruises on her arms and neck were a result of the man trying to force her to leave with him. Fortunately, Julie intervened and took Kristin home. “I shudder to imagine what might have happened,” Kristin said. “I had no decision-making capabilities at all.” Kristin said she believes that with out her friend’s help, she would have been abducted and raped. Rohypnol comes from the same drug family—benzodiazepines—as Valium and Halcion, but has a much more powerful, hypnotic effect than those drugs, said Anglin. To help identify victims of Rohypnol-related sexual assaults and combat negative press reports, Hoffman-LaRoche began offering free drug testing this summer for suspected victims. “We’re concerned because it’s our drug, and we’re quite dis turbed because it’s being used for this unfortunate purpose,” Anglin said. Suspected victims can have their urine tested within 72 hours of exposure at a health care facility such as a local hospital or campus health center. The sample will be mailed to and tested by Roche Laboratories in Massachusetts, free of charge. Until recently, there has been no way of detecting the drug’s pres ence in cases of sexual assault, and few confirmed victims have been iden tified. But hopefully with the new test, Anglin said, suspected rapists can be identified and prosecuted. The use of Rohypnol in sexual assault cases began in Florida and Texas, but has quickly spread north to afflict such universities as Penn State, whose health authorities reported as many as 10 suspected Rohypnol-related rapes this fall. Smith said that several inci dents of Rohypnol poisoning have been reported at the University of Minnesota, but that none have been confirmed. “We don’t want people to fall prey to this,” she said. She rec ommended that people “watch their drinks, go with a partner or friend...but don’t go alone.” Anglin said Hoffman- LaRoche is cooperating with the Drug Enforcement Administration and other law enforcement agencies to stop illegal diversions of the drug into the United States. In late September, the company discontinued production of the potent two-milligram tablets, which is the dosage of choice among rapists. Last month. Congress ap proved a bill that imposes much harsher criminal penalties for using any drugs to commit sexual assault and other violent acts. The bill pro vides a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison for using any controlled substance, including Rohypnol, to commit a violent act. Holiday Sale MC Book Store •20% off all clothing through December 23 •Available at the beginning of December: “Celebrate 40” t-shirts •Textbook buy-back: Dec. 6,9,10,11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of the store HAPPY HOLIDAYS TDOM THE &mf AT THE BOOK 6TODE! Graduating seniors must attend exit interview regarding loans Government regulations require that all graduating seniors who received student loans must attend an exit interview. During the exit interview, a list of student’s lenders and total amount borrowed will be provided. Information on loan consolidation will also be provided. The inter view process should take 10 to 15 minutes to complete. If you have not already at tended one of these sessions and are scheduled to graduate in December, it is imperative that you contact Denice Carter, loan coordinator, in the financial aid office or call 630- 7195. HELMS from page 1 — aiii'tht r Il'J Kennedy in the Senate,” said Helms. “1 have to look at Ted Kennedy every morning, and if you’ve had a good breakfast, you might lose it.” When asked why he has “gone after” Gantt, Helms responded, “He has tried throughout the cam paign to show himself as something he is not.” According to Helms, Gantt wants more money, higher taxes, and is against a balanced bud get and the death penalty. Helms also accused Gantt of wanting to allow homosexual teachers in schools. “North Carolina is a conservative state,” said Helms. Helms talked about his trip to Asheville where he met with Billy Graham and spoke about the trouble in this country with crime and drugs. The big issue is morals and spiritual values. Helms said. During the last 10 minutes of the conference, Helms entertained reporter’s questions. A reporter for a local television station wanted to know what was going to be done about student loans. Helms passed the question to Nichols, who said the Senate has increased loans every year, and between 1995 and 2005 student loans are expected to grow by 50 percent. Another person questioned the proposition of the open-door policy on people coming into the country with contagious diseases. Helms said he would not allow such a thing and would oppose the proposi tion. Although not a member of the press, an MC student persisted in having his question answered as to what Helms plans to do, saying, “All you’ve done is criticize Gantt.” Helms finally said, “You don’t make your point.” The supporters of Helms booed the student as he walked away. Finally, MC president Dr. Elton Hendricks thanked Helms for coming. Helms, at 75, won his seat as senator of North Carolina in the 1996 election. Sure air ba^ work great in fnxit- end coUistwis. but (^y a safety belt can probetl you from side and tcar-ena colltsions. So budde up. And youll cover all the an^es. VnCSULEAMAUlTRnMADQMft BOaUYQWStfEnBBI Campus Calendar December 1996 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 Residence Halls Open 2 Campus Crusade 8 p.m.. Weaver Basement SGA Meeting 11 a.m. SAC Meeting 11 a.m. Computer Science/Math Club meeting 11 a.m., S103 Teacher Education Meeting 11 a.m., T209 Last day of classes o Christmas Dance 9 p.m., Student Union FCA 9 p.m.. Weaver Basement Men’s basketball vs. Chowan 7:30 pm Methodist College Chorus Christmas Concert, 8 p.m.. Reeves Auditorium Reading Day ^ Chapel Services 11 a.m. Exam Breakfast 10 pm. Student Union NC Symphony Holiday Pops Concert, 7:30 pm. Reeves Auditorium; Free with student ID 5 Exams begin 6 A iLJl Chanukah begins 7 CLC Christmas Project 8 Moravian Love Feast 7 p.m.. Chapel 9 10 11 12 Exams end Platform practice 9 a.m.. Reeves Auditorium Graduation practice, 2 p.m.. Reeves Auditorium Graduation 2 pm 13 Residence Halls Women’s Basketball vs. 14 15 Fayetteville Symphony Christmas Concert, 3 p.m.. Reeves Auditorium; Free with student ID 16 Men’s basketball vs. Maryville, 7 pm 9 17 18 19 20 Pay Day 21 22 23 College Closed i 25 Christmas Day A College Closed 26 27 28 29 30 31
Methodist University Student Newspaper
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Dec. 2, 1996, edition 1
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