A blow known as Good Night, Cinderella –o “Good night, Cinderella”– is generating alert between travelers and young people in bars and parties, especially in Brazil where several people were already victims.
Although it is not a single substance, this term describes a technique in which medications or sedatives dissolved in drinks to leave the person confused or uninformed.
The victim is left with drunk or sleepy appearancewithout awareness of what is happening; The purpose is almost always the same: steal, abuse or take advantage of a person under the effects of a drug who did not choose to consume.
In 2016, this technique had already been a cause for alert for foreign embassies, along with the Zika virus and violence, on the eve of the Rio Olympic Games.
At that time, the consulate warned that the method included a «substance that dissolves in drinks and causes confusion and even loss of consciousness«.
How it is composed
The term refers to the story of Cinderellathe young woman who had to leave the dance at midnight and lost her glass slipper. In this context, “good night” is the drug and “Cinderella” is the victimwho loses his consciousness, his belongings and his memory.
The technique consists of placing substances such as Rohypnol, GHB or ketamine in the drink of a distracted person, although other narcotics can also be used. When combined with alcohol, the effects are enhanced and the person is completely helpless.
The technique consists of placing substances such as Rohypnol, GHB or ketamine in the drink. Photo ShutterstockThese drugs are colorless, tasteless and odorlesswhich makes it easier for them to pass unnoticed. Within a few minutes, the victim can enter a state of profound drowsiness, confusion, or even complete loss of consciousness.
The effects of the «Good night, Cinderella» technique
Unlike what many believe, “Good night, Cinderella” it’s not a drug in itself, but a criminal method that uses different substances with criminal purposes.
These drugs are colorless, tasteless and odorless, making it easy for them to go unnoticed. Photo: ShutterstockDoctors explain that the effects appear within minutes and can include loss of coordination, incoherent speech, extreme drowsiness, and partial or total amnesia.
Therefore, in many cases, victims only realize what happened hours or even days later, waking up without memories and without their belongings.
The Cameron Golinsky case that once again exposed the danger
This week, the Canadian influencer Cameron Golinsky35 years old, became one of the most recent victims of this method in Rio de Janeiro.
As he reported on his Instagram account, he accepted a beer from two strangers in a bar in Ipanema and then lost consciousness.
Cameron Golinsky, the Canadian influencer who reported a case of «Goodnight, Cinderella.» Photo: InstagramGolinsky woke up two days later in his apartment, without money, without phone and with their digital accounts invaded. «They used a drug to knock me out, stole all my money and my phone, and evidence suggests I was sexually assaulted. I woke up two days later, naked in my room, feeling like I’d been hit by a bus,» he wrote.
How to prevent and act
Experts recommend do not accept drinks from strangerss, don’t lose sight of the glass and always stay accompanied by trusted people.
In case of suspicion, it is essential seek medical help immediatelyremain as calm as possible and report the incident so that toxicological tests can be carried out.
