A student’s ‘lights on but no one home’ metaphor reveals the horror of being drugged
The phrase captures the eerie detachment of being drugged and unaware.
The story
An alleged gang rape at a Cornell University fraternity involves ketamine, a drug that can cause dissociation and make victims unaware of their surroundings, according to a Fox News contributor.
Source: www.foxnews.com
Our reading
The former student’s description of feeling ‘like her lights were on but no one was home’ is a poetic way to say she was a passive observer in her own life. It’s the kind of metaphor that could double as a slogan for a self-help book, if only it weren’t attached to a crime.
Dr. Widmer’s warning that ketamine can make people ‘unable to defend themselves or understand their environment’ is a bit of a tautology. If you’re unaware of your surroundings, you’re already in a position where defending yourself is impossible. It’s like saying a locked door is a good way to keep thieves out.
Parents are now being urged to explain that ketamine isn’t just a party drug but a tool for making people feel like they’re watching a movie of their own life. It’s a lot to process, especially for someone who just wants to go to college and not be a plot point in someone else’s story.
