Caitlain's Corner

Sex Education

Date Rape Drugs

What are the date rape drugs?
The four most common drugs used to put someone in a position for unauthorized sexual assaults are GHB (gamma hydroxybutyric acid), Rohypnol, Ketamine, and MDMA or Ecstasy. Although assaults perpetrated using these drugs are commonly referred to as “date rapes,” the official term used by law enforcement agencies is “drug-assisted (or drug-facilitated) sexual assault.”

It is a federal crime to use a date-rape drug against anyone for any purpose, including rape. Violations of these laws can result in up to 20 years in prison. The government takes this seriously – so should you! Learn what these drugs are, what they look like, what their effects are and how to ensure that you don’t become a victim of them!

How do the drugs work?
These drugs are fast-acting drugs that affect the victim’s ability to understand and comprehend what is going on around them. You may be physically or mentally unable to protect yourself from having sex acts (or anything else for that matter) done to you while you are under their influence, and frequently you will even be unable to remember what has happened during this time. GHB, Rohypnol and Ketamine will produce drowsiness, impaired motor skills, reduce inhibitions greatly, produce amnesia, and are quickly metabolized, such that there are no traces in the body after 8-12 hours. This makes prosecution of crimes involving them difficult if you delay reporting that you suspect you’ve been drugged.

A scene at a bar - keep your eyes on your drinks

A scene at a bar - keep your eyes on your drinks

Ecstasy can reduce anxiety and produce a feeling of extreme relaxation. Ecstasy increases pulse, blood pressure, and body temperature, and can cause muscle spasms and teeth grinding. Because it suppresses the need to eat, drink, or sleep, it enables users to dance for long time periods. It enhances your sense of touch and may make you have extremely positive feelings for others, regardless of who they are. It may take away your ability to sense danger and leave you unable to protect yourself from a rapist.

What do the drugs look like, and how will I know that they are present?
In most cases, you will not notice anything different with drinks that contain these substances. They may or may not have an odd odor or taste, so that is no definite indication that they are or are not present. These drugs are most often introduced into a victim’s drink when they are not looking. Therefore, it is imperative that you maintain control of your drinks when you are at parties, raves or other, similar events.

GHB comes in a powder, pill or liquid form, and is often colorless and odorless when dissolved in a drink. It’s most common form is a clear, liquid substance slightly thicker than water. It is often placed in drinks that allow the slightly salty taste to be hidden. GHB can be made in the home, and is frequently laced with other substances!

Ecstasy comes in a white or lightly colored pill form, and may have any one of a number of different designs on them, but it may also come in a powder or capsule form.

Ketamine’s original form is q clear liquid, but it is often dried into a powder. It can be snorted directly, but when used as a date rape drug, it is most often provided via cigarette laced with it. Ketamine is an animal tranquilizer and is basically a watered-down version of PCP, a powerful mind altering stimulant.

Rohypnol is less common, and is found as a white or olive green pill, commonly labeled with the number “542.” For the past couple of years, the manufacturer of the drug has built it to change colors when it is introduced into a liquid, so it is becoming much less common of a threat than it used to be. It is usually taken in a pill form, but can be crushed and snorted or dissolved in a drink.

GHB and Ketamine are legal in the U.S. for other uses, while Ecstasy and Rohypnol are not.

What about alcohol – is it considered a date rape drug?
Generally speaking, no. Alcohol, when used in moderation is a safe, legal (if you’re of age) relaxation tool! Providing someone with sufficient alcohol to get them wasted to the point of where they are unable to knowingly consent to anything or control themselves, though, can put it into the same class as the others in the eyes of some, however.

How will I know if I’ve been drugged?
In short, you may not know until after it is all over. By that time, of course, any assault may have already occurred. For most of these substances, it takes between 15 and 30 minutes for them to take effect. If you sense that you are getting dizzy or feeling faint, you should seek help immediately. If the drugs are mixed with alcohol, their effects may be significantly increased, and other complications (including seizures and even death) may occur.

In the aftermath, you may wake up and be unable to remember anything that happened for a considerable period of time. You may feel more dizzy or hung-over than you normally would for the amount of alcohol you ingested. You may “feel” like you’ve had sex, but cannot remember any of the events surrounding it.

What can I do to make sure I am not victimized?

Keep your drinks with you at all times, even when you go to the bathroom or outside

Only accept drinks from bartenders or waitresses, or open them yourself if you are at a party without a bartender, etc. Consider brining your own drinks to the party if possible.

Do not share drinks with anyone you do not explicitly trust.

Do not drink from punch bowls, or other containers that are shared, even if you know and trust the people hosting the event. It is not unheard of for someone to put drugs into such containers surreptitiously.

Do not drink anything that looks odd, smells odd, or tastes odd or unfamiliar to you.

If you suspect you’ve been drugged, contact a friend IMMEDIATELY and let them know where you are and what has happened to you, and ask that they come get you or notify the police. The longer you wait, the greater your chance of becoming a victim if you are in fact drugged!