Women around Bermuda are being sent warnings via the Internet urging them to watch out for strangers dropping date-rape drugs into their drinks.

The e-mail message claims that in the past couple of weeks there have been two known incidents in bars around Hamilton where women have had their drinks spiked.

The circular e-mail claims that one girl ended up in a daze and had to be taken home by her friends after somebody popped a pill in her drink.

And it also states that a man was seen in the popular Blue Juice bar in Front Street slipping a pill into a girl's drink while she was not looking.

The e-mail warns: "Be careful, as this is the kind of date-rape stuff you hear about elsewhere''.

Yesterday, The Women's Resource Centre echoed the warning, and urged women not to let their drinks out of their sight.

Director of Counselling Services Sharon Apopa said: "I have not heard of any instances of this, but it does not surprise me. Looking at the trends elsewhere, I would not be surprised if someone was using this kind of MO here.

"I would urge women not to leave their drinks unattended, and would say that they should not accept drinks from people they do not know or trust.

"The drugs used in these cases are tasteless, colourless and odourless, so women have no idea they have been drugged.

"The drugs numb you and kick in pretty quickly. They have hypnotic effects, so the victims are able to move and do things, but they are unaware of what they are doing.

"The drug blocks out memory, but the victims will know something has happened when they recover from the drug because there will be missing blocks of time.'' Date rape drug making the rounds The two main date-rape drugs are rohypnol and GHB (gamma hydroxybutyric acid).

Rohypnol is a sedative with about ten times the potency of diazepam (valium).

It is smaller than an aspirin, but very similar in appearance, and it is inexpensive.

The drug, which reduces resistance, is believed to have been used in a number of date-rape cases in the US and the UK.

Dr. Derrick Binns, head of the National Drug Commission on the Island, said he had been informed that date-rape drugs were on the Island and had been used on occasions, but he said he had not had any specific cases reported to him or the Commission.

He added: "We have heard reports of it being used, so it would not surprise me if it had happened in recent weeks.

"Women should be on their guard. They should not accept drinks if they are unsure who has been able to get to them beforehand, and they should never leave their drinks -- even for a short time.

"They will not know the drugs have been put in their drinks until it is too late.

"We don't want to see anyone being abused by people using these drugs. People need to be warned.'' A Police spokeswoman yesterday was unable to confirm whether the two incidents mentioned in the e-mail had been reported to Police, but she advised women to be vigilant.

She added: "Anyone who has suspicions of things like this happening, or women who have seen someone drop something into their drinks, should contact the Police.

"We want people to inform us of any instances where this might be going on.

We know that date-rape drugs have been found on the Island in the past.'' A woman, who did not wish to be named, who regularly drinks around the bars in Hamilton, said: "I always watch what I drink, but when you are out with your friends having a good time, it could be very easy for someone to drop something into your drink.

"You can't be careful enough now. It's really scary to think that this sort of thing could be happening.

"I will continue to go out like normal, but I will be extra careful and I would urge others to do the same.''