'You all have stories': Panel laments drugged drinks at UPEI

Students at the University of Prince Edward Islandare having their drinks drugged, and everyone has to work together to deal with that reality, a panel told a meeting of students and staff Tuesday evening.

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"We always are optimistic. We hope we're not going to be dealing with this, but we do realize the reality that this can and does happen," said Shannon Fenelon, residence life coordinator at UPEI.

One of the themes of the evening was the lack of official reports. That could be due to shame, or just uncertainty about what happened due to memory loss.

Bringing the issue to light

"It's like sexual assault," said Nouhad Mourad, who works at the international student relations office.

"When a group of women get together you all know people that this has happened to. You all have stories."

Fenelon said it's important to talk about this issue.

"We just work as hard as possible to support our students, and make sure they know the resources that are available," he said.

"It's about developing the idea and the knowledge that it's whatever you're comfortable with doing. Do you feel like you can come forward, do you want to come forward, and not putting the pressure on that they feel obligated, to have to come forward."

About 40 people turned out for the What's in your drink discussion.

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