Last week as many Boston area college and university students got ready to celebrate their first weekend of the school year, they also got a reminder: Stay safe.

The Boston Police Department issued a community alert about spiked drinks, encouraging people to watch out for themselves and their friends. Organizations that support sexual assault victims refer to this time of year as the “Red Zone” because it’s when students on campus are most vulnerable to sexual violence.

“Research shows that more than 50% of all college sexual assaults take place during this time between the beginning of the fall semester and Thanksgiving break,” according to Jane Doe Inc., The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.

According to the Boston Police Department, 44 cases of drink spiking have been reported so far this year.

In 2023, there were 108 cases reported for the full year. And in 2022, there were 107.

Community is key to sexual assault prevention, Jane Doe Inc. told GBH News. The organization added that many of its member programs serve as resources for college campuses, where students can learn more about awareness, risk reduction and response.

Recommendations for how to stay safe

Drugs such as rohypnol, aka roofies, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid and ketamine are scentless, colorless and flavorless. These drugs can result in disorientation and potential loss of consciousness, which can leave victims vulnerable to sexual assault.

Boston Police spokesman Sgt. Detective John Boyle encourages people in social settings to create a “buddy system” to prevent getting separated.

Other tips for staying safe:

  • Be sure that your drink is being served directly by the bartender or your server.
  • Don’t allow people you don’t know or trust to order drinks and deliver them to you.
  • Watch your drink at all times. Never leave your drink unattended.
  • Take your drink with you to the restroom if need be.
  • Keep your hand covered over your drink when you’re not looking at it. Many creative inventions exist that can help you cover your drink.
  • Get help immediately if you begin to feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, or strange in any way.
  • Please be aware of any uncharacteristic behavior from your acquaintances and be wary of strangers attempting to lure individuals away from their friends.

Police urge victims to report all incidents. When incidents are reported, police say they can investigate further and follow up on any suspects or locations of alleged assaults and further protect the public from further assaults or drink spiking from occurring.

Addressing the problem

Advocates say there’s room for improvement when it comes to responding to drugging incidents.

Victims are often refused testing at hospitals if they did not report a sexual assault or rape, according to state Sen. Paul Feeney.

“Whether in Boston, Barnstable, or the Berkshires, victims of drink spiking shouldn’t have to play hospital roulette to find a facility that will test and properly care for them following what is likely the most traumatizing night of their life,” Feeney said.

Feeney has pushed the Legislature to create a “date rape drug response and intervention task force” to collect data on drink-drugging incidents across the state and recommend standard drug-testing protocols for hospitals.

“The bottom line is we cannot change what we do not measure,” he said. “Standardized testing and care is what victims needs to feel heard and safe, what law enforcement needs to hold perpetrators accountable, and what our communities need to protect the wellbeing of Massachusetts residents.”