• But don't forget that drug-rape drugs can be colourless, odourless and tasteless
• Watch out for your friends, and if you see someone adding anything to someone else's drink, tell them. If you do feel light headed or ill after just a few drinks, seek help from a trusted friend or if in a public house or club, a member of staff.
• Don't drink to excess - alcohol does affect your actions and your reactions as well as your ability to be alert - it is harder to be careful if you are drunk
• Be careful about who you go home with. Can you really trust them?
• Leave your credit and cash cards at home - there are increasing numbers of cases where drugged victims willingly reveal their pin numbers to their attackers
• Also just because you are a man don't think it can't happen to you - male rape also occurs.

Problem cigarettes

A new problem has been highlighted. Cigarettes soaked in embalming fluid have most recently emerged as a form of date-rape drug. The cigarettes, commonly known as "fry" cigarettes, are tobacco or marijuana cigarettes dipped in any drug, alcohol or solvent. A south Wales woman is believed to have been the first victim of American-style "fry" cigarettes in the UK in September, 2004.

Embalming fluid is usually alcohol (methanol, ethyl alcohol or ethanol), formaldehyde, and solvents. Formaldehyde is one of the ‘aldehyde’ compounds that is responsible for the hangover after an alcohol binge. It smells pungent. Smoking this liquid on the filter tip or within the tobacco will vaporize the substance and the smoker inhales the mixture into the lungs. From here it is absorbed almost instantly and it passes straight to the brain. The effect is therefore almost instant. However the effect will not be long lasting.

Sometimes, the compound used in the "fry" cigarettes is PCP, or Angel Dust. This drug adds an incredible level of danger to the user - it can kill. According to a 1998 study by the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, those who smoke "fry" cigarettes experience toxic psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, and sometimes, unconsciousness.

Common street names for the treated cigarettes include "amp" "water-water", "drank" and "wetdaddy" and French fries. Whatever is used, the cigarettes taste strange, with an unusual, pungent smell.

Graham Rhodes, chief executive of the Roofie Foundation, which campaigns on behalf of sex crime victims, immediately warned: "Do not accept a casual cigarette from anyone." He said women should now treat cigarettes offered to them on a night out as potentially as dangerous a risk as accepting a drink from a stranger.

Dr Jim Campbell, a forensic expert who does work for the foundation, said that "frys" alone were unlikely to supplant current date-rape drugs. He said the effects of fry-type cigarettes alone are not long-lasting enough to allow a sex attacker to act.

"You will feel giddy and may go into a stupor, but it will not last very long and it will not incapacitate somebody," Dr Campbell said.

One scenario is the administering of a fry to cause giddiness or nausea, so the victim will accept a drink without thinking of the consequences.

How can you tell if you have been drugged?

If you're boozing, be aware of your tolerance to alcohol. If you feel odd, nauseous, or wasted after a couple of drinks when you'd normally feel fine, go somewhere you feel safe.

The symptoms of these drugs vary but victims report blurred vision and temporary memory loss. The effects can start as quickly as 15 minutes after the drink is taken.

If you think you have been drugged then you should do the following things

• If you are with a friend you trust, tell them why you're worried. Get them to help you home.
• But be very careful who you trust - figures indicate that almost 70% of victims know their attacker.
• Ask your friend to stay with you until the drug has worn off.
• If you are alone or with a stranger, go to the pub landlord or manager and ask for their help. Wait in their office while they ring your parents, a friend or a taxi to take you home safely.
• Don't let a stranger help you - they could be the person who spiked your drink.
• You are also advised to report it to the police as soon as possible. Most of the drugs that are commonly used leave the body very quickly - some in less than 12 hours - and are therefore hard to detect, the sooner you are tested the more chance you have of it still being in your system.
• Another reason for calling the police - especially if you think you know who drugged you is that the attacker may have more drugs in his possession.
• If you fear you have been raped whilst under the influence of drugs, taken willingly or not - report it! Go straight to the police and insist that they take a blood and urine sample, it could prove to be vital forensic evidence. Make sure you are accompanied by a friend or even better, a solicitor. Also after the police make sure you visit your doctor or a GU clinic. Never forget the risk of aids.
• The police are very anxious to point out that anyone reporting being raped whilst under the effect of drugs will NOT be prosecuted for drug taking and will be treated as a normal rape victim.
• You could also notify Crimestoppers which is anonymous on 0800 555 1111.

What drugs are used?

The most common drugs used to spike drinks are Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) and GHB, both of which are colourless and tasteless. Both are sedatives, and are used to induce stupor and compliance in victims for the purposes of rape and/or sexual assault. These drugs have the "advantage" of disturbing the victim's memory to the extent that they frequently cannot recall events.

For further help and information:

Contact the Drug Rape Trust on: 01702 317695 or via their website: www.dr-ugged.co.uk.

The Roofie Foundation Tel: 0800 783 2980 It is the only expert body in the UK dedicated to victims of drug rape.

The Rape Crisis Federation Tel: 01159 003560.

Some statistics on the incidence of date rape

Victim Support Tel: 0845 3030900

And remember - Sleep safely - don't have nightmares

Enjoy Christmas!