With date rape drugs, timing is of the essence for testing. I was appalled at how hard it was to find a place that tested for them. We went to the hospital, talked to urgent care, contacted the police/EMS and none of them had an answer as to where to go. We were constantly referred to places that did not offer it. When we finally found a hospital that said that they did that kind of testing, it was a day later. The nurse said that she would be surprised if it showed up in the test, as they wear off very quickly without a trace. After speaking with the doctor, she said that this hospital also did not provide that kind of testing, and the likelihood of finding a trace was slim to none, though she would talk to the lab. According to her, drugs of this kind disappear under 24 hours. As of this point in time, we still have not found a hospital/doctor’s office that tests for it, and it is likely too late. With date rape drug cases spiking in Massachusetts, and rape being such a huge problem already, I urge you to sign this petition and make date rape drug testing more accessible to everyone. I urge the Massachusetts Commonwealth to not only make this possible, but to make this knowledge within the police/EMS a priority. I can’t speak for the rest of the U.S., as I don’t know how easily they are to maintain elsewhere. But as for Massachusetts, this needs to change. This needs to be a priority.

(image credit to womenshealth.gov)