DEPARTMENTS > COMMUNITY ALLIANCE > DRUG FACTS
Date Rape Drugs
Date Rape Drugs: How to Avoid Being a Victim
GHB, Rohypnol, and Ketamine
- GHB, Rohypnol, and Ketamine are the three drugs most commonly known as "date rape drugs"
- Any drug can make an intended victim less able to protect him or herself. Each of them can make someone unable to defend herself against attack. In some cases, it takes less than one minute to work
- These drugs are also sometimes taken intentionally for various "high" experiences. Overdoses of any of these drugs can be fatal.
GHB
- In small doses:
- Mild sedative effect
- Slowed heart and breathing rates
- Inability to think quickly or logically
- Physical weakness
- Loss of consciousness.
- The drug starts to take affect after only ten minutes, and lasts about four hours
- Street names include:
- "G"
- Liquid Ecstasty
- Georgia Home Boy
- Grievous Bodily Harm
- Gamma G Somatomax
- Growth Hormone Booster
- and many others
Rohypnol
- Rohypnol is the brand name of a drug called flunitrazepam.
- It is a surgical anesthetic or sleeping pill used legally by doctors around the world.
- It is ten times more potent than most common prescription sleeping pills.
- The pills are usually round, white, and labeled "Roche," with a circled number "1" or "2."
- Pills are ground up into a powder, and dissolve quickly in liquid. It has a bitter taste when mixed in a drink, but like GHB, its taste can be mostly covered.
- A tiny dose lasts 8-12 hours.
- It causes:
- A complete loss of muscle control
- Lowered blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Visual disturbances
- Confusion
- Digestive problems
- Loss of consciousness
- Can cause amnesia as well
- Alcohol accelerates these drug's intoxicating effects and leaves the victim completely helpless.
- It is often impossible for the victim to recall the details of a rape or assault; they are often aware that they have been sexually assaulted, but they can't explain how it happened.
- A newer version of Rohypnol was recently produced which will turn blue when it is put in a drink, and also takes longer to dissolve.
- Rohypnol tablets may also be called:
- Roofies
- Roach
- Roofenol
- Roche
- La Rocha
- Roll-and-Fall
- Rope
- The Forget-Me Pill
Ketamine
- Ketamine was developed in the 1960s as an anesthetic for surgeries. It is closely related to PCP. Both are called "dissociatives," which means that they cause a splitting from reality. Ketamine is a legal prescription drug, used mostly in veterinary medicine.
- Ketamine comes in a white powder or liquid found in small pharmaceutical bottles.
- It can be snorted, injected into a muscle, or taken by mouth.
- It is odorless and tasteless.
- It works super quickly, so if someone put it in your drink you would lose consciousness in less than a minute.
- The effects of Ketamine include:
- Delirium
- Loss of control of the body
- Hallucinations
- Unconsciousness
- Numbing
- Amnesia
- Confusion
- Difficulty hearing
- Difficulty understanding
- Difficulty speaking
- The risks of Ketamine include:
- High blood pressure
- Potentially fatal breathing difficulties
- Lowered heart rate
- Can lead to oxygen depletion in the brain and muscles
What to do to protect yourself from date rape drugs:
- Be aware of the taste of your drink: a bitter or strong taste may be a sign of an added drug
- Never ever leave your drink unattended at a bar, if you do, get a fresh, new drink.
- If you suddenly feel unusual let a trusted friend know
- Assign a designated driver and stick with the plan, going home with the same person you came in with lessens your chances of being a victim of date rape drugs.
If you believe you have become a victim:
- Do not shower, it may destroy important evidence
- Go to the hospital immediately after the event
- Consider getting support, professional counseling can be very helpful after a traumatic event, let trusted friends know as well, natural supports can be very helpful too.