Wow! You have come a long way baby since dating and partying is now quite kosher for young women in metros. I know your parents probably have already shared with you their concerns about your safety and you would have assured them by saying that you are going with your friends and that your male friends, who your parents have met, will be there with you, so they need not worry. Not to spoil the mood though, I just want to throw in a few extra words of caution which will help you enjoy the party as well as keep your self safe.

I’m sure many of you are aware that elaborate parties in farm houses and clubs have, of lately, become sites where women are finding themselves victims of sexual assault and rape. Most of the time it has been found that the girls knew the rapist/s. They were found to be friends with whom the girl had come to the party or acquaintances of her other friends. I’m not suggesting that all your male friends are potential rapists. But there is no harm in being alert and taking steps to prevent oneself from getting hurt.

But how can it be possible to get raped at a party by your friend(s)/acquaintance(s)? Date rapes or acquaintance rape as it is known generally occurs at known places by known people. Usually by placing the victim under the influence of drugs, popularly known as ‘Date Rape Drugs’. These chemical substances have no colour, smell or taste and are easily added to flavoured drinks and cigarettes without the victim's knowledge. High doses of LSD or cocaine or the well known Estacy pill that are being freely circulated at parties can also cause similar effects. But it's a lethal dose of any one of three over-the-counter drugs that are largely used in these cases of sexual assault.

· GHB (gamma hydroxybutyric acid): Usually a liquid with no odour or colour, also available in the form of white powder or pill.
· Rohypnol (flunitrazepam): The Rohypnol is a pill that dissolves easily in liquids. New pills turn blue when added to liquids. However, the old pills dissolve with no colour change and are still available.
· Ketamine (ketamine hydrochloride): This is a white powder.

The intake of these drugs makes one physically helpless, incapable of refusing sex and, worse, unable to remember what happened. How long these effects last vary with the intake. Alcohol can worsen the drug's effect.

Date rape drugs render a person incapable of thinking clearly or of making appropriate decision. This makes for a very passive victim, one who is still able to play a role in what is happening but who will have no clear memory of what happened after. Without any memory of events, the victim is often unaware that they have even been raped, and if they are aware or have suspicions they make poor witnesses.

To top it, all traces of the drugs leave the body within 72 hours of ingestion and cannot be detected in any routine toxicology screen or blood test. So any examination that needs to be done after the rape has to be done quickly.

Hey! But don’t let this stop you from going to a party this New Year. If you take some simple steps you can avoid people duping you with these drugs. To protect yourself always follow these simple rules:

1. When in bars or clubs always get your drink directly from the bartender and do not take your eyes off the bartender or your order; don't use the waitress or let somebody go to the bar for you.

2. Don't accept open drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) from others who you do not know or do not trust; this includes drinks that come in a glass.

3. At parties, only accept drinks in close containers: bottles, cans or tetra packs.

4. Never leave your drink unattended or turn your back on your table.

5. Do not drink from open beverage sources like punch bowls, pitchers or tubs.

6. Keep your eyes and ears open; if there is talk of date rape drugs or if friends seem "too intoxicated" for what they have taken, leave the party or club immediately and don't go back!

7. And remember its better to be safe and smart than ‘cool’ and wasted.

Lets just go out and make it a great time of endings and beginnings. Make sure you don’t allow a few people with wild intentions to mess with your fun. If New Year is your night of fun and you want it to be memorable you need to be in control of it! Happy partying and a Great New Year!