--Date Rape Drugs

-What You Can’t See, Taste, or Smell
Can Hurt You

People often think of rape as a random sexual attack committed by a stranger. But more often than not, victims of rape know their attackers. Rape that occurs between two people who know each other, otherwise known as date or acquaintance rape, is as much an act of violence and aggression as rape committed by a stranger. In fact, 76% of women who report being raped or sexually assaulted named a current or former husband, cohabiting partner, or date as their attacker.¹ Eight percent of high school-age girls claimed that a boyfriend or date had forced sex upon them against their will.²

Rapists may use predatory, or “date rape,” drugs to take advantage of their victims. The effects of these drugs often leave victims physically helpless, unable to refuse sex, and often with no memory of what happened to them. The drugs have no color, taste, or smell and can be easily added to beverages without the victim’s knowledge. There are at least three date rape drugs:

• GHB (g, liquid ecstasy, grievous bodily harm, georgia home boy): This drug produces relaxation and increased self-confidence in small doses. In larger doses, it can quickly result in vomiting, seizures, unconsciousness, coma, and even death. Mixing this drug with alcohol can worsen its effects.
• Rohypnol (roofies, roche, forget-me pill): This drug causes memory loss during time of drug use, lowers blood pressure, causes sleepiness, confusion, loss of muscle control, and loss of consciousness. The drug’s effects are heightened when it is mixed with alcohol.
• Ketamine (K, special k, cat valium): A powerful animal anesthetic, this drug causes hallucinations, dream-like feelings, loss of sense of time, distorted perceptions of sight and sound, impaired motor function, memory problems, convulsions, and numbness.

Alcohol, although not technically considered a “date rape drug,” can affect judgment and behavior, putting a person at risk for unwanted or risky sexual activity. When a person is under the influence of alcohol it becomes more difficult to think clearly about potentially dangerous situations, and to resist sexual assault. Drinking too much alcohol can cause blackouts and memory loss, which also puts a person at risk for sexual assault. Also, alcohol can worsen the effects of date rape drugs.

There are ways to protect yourself from being drugged, and possibly sexually assaulted. Do not accept drinks from people you do not know. Keep your drink with you at all times. Never drink from punch bowls or other common open containers as they may already have drugs in them. Do not drink anything that smells or tastes strange. And always have a non-drinking friend with you to help make sure nothing happens.

¹ U.S. Department of Justice, Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey, November 1998
² The Commonwealth Fund Survey of the Health of Adolescent Girls, November 1997