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Date Rape Drugs

What are date rape drugs?

Although alcohol is the most likely intoxicant used to facilitate sexual assault, other substances may be voluntarily or involuntarily used which can make someone more vulnerable to sexual abuse or assault. There are 4 major types of so called "date rape drugs" – GHB, Rohypnol, Ketamine, and Ecstasy.

GHB

• Also known as "Liquid G," "G," "Georgia Home Boy," "Easy Lay," or "Grievous Bodily Harm"
• Comes in either a pure powder form or cam be mixed in with a liquid. It is available on the street in small plastic bottles, about the size and shape of hotel shampoo, small mouthwash or Visine bottles

Rohypnol

• Brand name for flunitrazepam, also known as "roofies" or "roaches"
• Pictured are the tablet forms of this prescription drug

Ketamine

• Also known as "K," "Vitamin K," or "Special K"
• Usually comes as a liquid in its pharmaceutical form, but is also found in powder or pill forms. The drug can be snorted, swallowed or injected.

Ecstasy

• Also known as MDMA and is called "Adam," "XTC," "Bean," "E," "M," and "Roll" on the street
• Ecstasy comes in a tablet that is often branded; just a few are shown in the picture.

Effects from Date Rape Drugs

• GHB effects can be felt within 15 minutes after ingestion. In small amounts it produces effects similar to alcohol; however, in larger doses in can have a hallucinatory effect and cause headaches, shaking, spasms, seizures, drowsiness, nausea, irregular heartbeat, and vomiting. Mixed with alcohol GHB can cause the central nervous system to shut down, lead to loss of consciousness, and possibly result in a coma or death.
• Rohypnol effects begin within 30 minutes, peak within 2 hours, and may persist for up to 8 hours or more, depending upon the dosage. Adverse effects include memory impairment, amnesia, drowsiness, visual disturbances, dizziness, impaired motor skills and judgment, slurred speech, confusion, gastrointestinal disturbances, and urinary retention.
• Ketamine causes the person to feel as if her mind is "separated" from her body. The drug causes a combination of amnesia and hallucinations. Also, it stops the feeling of pain and lowers the heart rate leading to oxygen starvation to the brain and muscles. Temporary paralysis, though rare, has been reported in some users.
• Ecstasy causes psychological difficulties, including confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, severe anxiety, and paranoia during and sometimes weeks after taking Ecstasy, physical symptoms such as muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness, and chills or sweating.

What can You Do to Protect Yourself?

• At parties or clubs with friends don't leave your drink unattended.
• Go out with a group of friends – pay attention to your friends – watch out for one another.
• At parties, only accept drinks in cans or closed containers.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Listen for the street names of the drugs (listed above).
• Trust your instincts – if you feel ill or you feel more intoxicated then the level of alcohol you've consumed warrants, get help immediately.
• There is good news about Rohypnol – its manufacturer recently reformulated the drug to make it more detectable. When put in a light-colored drink, new Rohypnol will turn the beverage bright blue. Darker colored beverages will have a cloudy appearance. The drug will also dissolve more slowly and form small chunky pieces. Keep in mind that it may take a while for this new Rohypnol to hit the streets.
• Proponents claim risks associated with Ecstasy can be minimized by drinking lots of water and by taking frequent breaks to avoid overheating.

Spring Breakers Beware!

• The heaviest concentrations of GHB have been found in California, Texas, Georgia, and Florida.
• Rohypnol has been encountered by U.S. law enforcement agencies in southern states from California to Florida. Authorities in Texas and Florida have observed the most significant activity involving Rohypnol. Although Rohypnol is an illegal substance in the U.S. it is a legal prescription drug in Mexico.
• In the United States, Rohypnol is used widely in Texas where it is popular among high school students. Rohypnol is reported to be readily available in the Miami area, and epidemiologists from that area have stated that it is South Florida's fastest growing drug problem.
• Two thirds of patients for GHB ingestion are aged 18-25 years.
• Ecstasy abuse has increased 500 percent over a five-year period.

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