Date rape drugs: What are they?

[Rob]

Date rape drugs: What are they?
By Britt (Le bonheur*)

Sometimes rape or sexual assault is assisted by drugs that are slipped into a drink when you’re not looking. Most of the drugs do not have a specific taste, color, or smell. Therefore, it’s very difficult to determine if your drink has been drugged before you take another sip. There are three well-known drugs that are commonly used: Rohypnol, Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), and Ketamine.

Rohypnol
Rohypnol (roofies) is a small, white, round pill that dissolves fairly quickly in liquids. There is a more recent form of the pill that is oval-shaped and green or gray in color. These newer versions make clear liquids change color but also make darker liquids turn cloudy. This can be an indication that your drink was drugged with Rohypnol, but sometimes the environment is simply too dark to see a noticeable change in the liquid. The effects of Rohypnol can be felt within thirty minutes of consuming the drug and can last for hours. The side effects are dizziness, nausea, a "drunk" feeling, passing out, memory loss, and (if severe enough), death. It is not legal in the United States; however, it is legal in Europe and Mexico, as it's prescribed for sleep disturbances and to assist with surgical anesthesia.

Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB)
GHB (Liquid X) comes in liquid form (with no odor or color), white powder, and pill form. It tends to have a salty taste, but if it’s being mixed with fruit juice, or something sweet, you may not be able to tell the difference. The drug’s effects can be felt within fifteen minutes and last up to four hours. It is a very potent drug, which can make it very easy to overdose on. The effects of GHB are relaxation, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, passing out, seizures, memory loss, respiratory problems, tremors, sweating, vomiting, decreased heart rate, coma, and even death. Although it's illegal in most circumstances, it is legal for the treatment of narcolepsy in the United States.

Ketamine
Ketamine (Special K) is a white powder or liquid. The drug makes you “paralyzed” in a sense. You might be completely alert and know what’s happening to you, but you won’t be able to move or talk. Ketamine also causes memory problems, distortion of sight, sound, time, and identity, impaired motor function, breathing problems, convulsions, vomiting, and loss of coordination, aggressive behavior, depression, slurred speech, numbness, and high blood pressure. Ketamine is mostly used as an anesthetic for animals, but it can also be used legally as an anesthetic for humans.

Protect yourself
If you’re going out to a party, club, or other social event, it’s important that you know the precautions needed to keep yourself safe. Some things you can do: don’t accept drinks from other people, open bottles or pour drinks yourself, order your own drinks, always keep your drink with you, never share drinks, stay clear of punch bowls, and don’t drink anything that arouses suspicion. If you feel drunk and you haven't had alcohol, or you suspect that unwanted sex occurred, you should seek help right away.

How to get help if you think you've been drugged
First, do not change your clothes or wash any part of your body, as it may eliminate important evidence. Ask a trusted friend to take you to a hospital emergency room, and tell them that you might have been drugged with a dangerous substance and possibly sexually assaulted. The doctors will then perform an examination by testing your urine for drugs and using a rape kit. Be sure that you contact the police while you’re at the hospital so that a case can be opened and charges can be pressed against the perpetrator. Finally, obtain counseling and a strong support system. It’s important that you realize being drugged (and possibly sexually assaulted) is not your fault. You can get through the feelings of guilt, fear, and shock in a healthy manner, with the right people by your side and resources to help you.