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Date Rape/Predatory or Club Drugs
Link: Frequently Asked Questions (womenshealth.gov)
Definition: Any drug or combination of drugs used to assist in the commission of a sexual assault.
Alcohol: Most common rape drug available. It is a depressant that can cause you to lose your inhibition and control of yourself and your actions. Alcohol hinders one's ability to give sexual consent and is the most common drug associated with rape.
Rohypnol and GHB: Are predominantly central nervous system depressants that can create a drugged or drunk feeling. They are colorless, tasteless, odorless, and can be slipped into a drink and unknowingly ingested. They leave the body's system quickly making detection almost impossible. They are used by themselves or combined to render a victim submissive.
Each drug can cause blackouts, disorientation and can inhibit one's ability to speak or move. It also can produce "anterograde amnesia," which means victims under the effects of the drugs may not recall events they experienced. If mixed with alcohol or other depressants it can be lethal.
Uncertainties about the sources, chemicals, and possible contaminants used to manufacture many club drugs make it extremely difficult to determine toxicity and associated medical consequences.
Rohypnol is not legal in the United States. GHB is legal and used under tight control to treat narcolepsy. Ketamine is legal in the United States primarily for the purpose of veterinary anesthesia.
Ketamine: It is a dissociative anesthetic that distorts perceptions of sight and sound and produces feelings of detachment from the environment and self. Low-dose intoxication results in impaired attention, learning ability, and memory. At higher doses, Ketamine can cause dreamlike states and hallucinations; and at higher doses, delirium and amnesia.
Ecstasy: Ecstasy can make a person feel "lovey-dovey" towards others. It also can lower a person's ability to give reasoned consent.
STREET NAMES:
Rohypnol Street Names: Rophies, Roofies, Roach, Rope, Forget Pills, Mind Erasers, R2s, Circles
GHB Street Names: Liquid Ecstasy, Soap, Easy Lay, Vita-G, Georgia Homeboy, Scoop, Grievous Bodily Harm, Liquid X, Gook, Goop, and G
Ketamine Street Names: Special K, Jet, K, Green, Purple Mauve, Super Acid, Super C, Vitamin K
Alcohol Street Names: Beer, Liquor, Wine, Booze
People unknowingly drugged:
- Feel drunk and haven't drank any alcohol - or feel like the effects of drinking alcohol are stronger than usual.
- Wake up feeling very hung over and disoriented or having no memory of a period of time.
- Remember having a drink but cannot recall anything after that.
- Can find clothes are torn or not on right.
- Feel like they had sex but cannot remember it.
How to avoid coming under the influence of date rape drugs:
- Don't accept drinks from other people.
- Open containers yourself or watch the bartender open them.
- Watch your drinks being made.
- Keep your drink with you at all times—even when you go to the bathroom. Keeping your drink in your hand and covering the top of it is safest. If you look away, someone could easily add something to your drink. If your drink is out of sight—even for a moment—do not finish it. Get a new drink.
- Don't share drinks.
- Avoid punch bowls or community drinking containers - they may already have drugs in them.
- Don't drink anything that tastes or smells strange. Sometimes GHB has a salty taste.
- If you are going to be drinking, always have a trusted friend who is not drinking with you to keep an eye on you. Check in with the friend frequently to avoid dangerous situations.