DATE RAPE DRUGS
In recent years
a new kind of rape threat has reared it's ugly head at parties,
on campuses and in nightclubs - so called "predator" or "date
rape" drugs. What exactly are date rape drugs? Technically
speaking, any substance that renders you incapable of saying no
or asserting yourself and your needs can be used to commit rape.
This can include things like alcohol, marijuana or other street
drugs, designer or club drugs like ecstasy, over-the-counter
sleeping pills and antihistamines, even cold medications.
However, the term "date rape drug" usually applies to these
drugs -
Rohypnol
(pronounced row-hip-nol) is a strong sedative which is similar to
the drug Valium, but is 10 times stronger than Valium. Rohypnol is
a small white tablet that is single or cross-scored on one side and
has the word "Roche" on the other side. It also has a circled
numeral 1 or 2 on it. Drug street names change all the time, but it
is often known as: "roofies", "rophies", "roche", "rope", "R2", and
"Trip-and-Fall". Rohypnol dissolves easily in almost all beverages &
it's effects are enhanced when mixed with alcohol. It is colorless
odorless and tasteless when dissolved in any liquid. This drug
causes sedation, loss of one's inhibitions. blackouts, amnesia, and
can result in a coma or even death. This drug is especially
dangerous because it is so inexpensive, costing as little as $1.00
per tablet. The drug's sedating effect leaves the victim with
little or no memory of the sexual assault.
GHB
(gamma hydroxybutyric acid)
An odorless, colorless liquid
that is usually ingested in a liquid mixture; most commonly mixed
with alcohol GHB has been used in the commission of sexual
assaults because it renders the victim incapable of resisting, and
may cause memory problems that could complicate case prosecution.
Street Names: Liquid Ecstasy, Scoop, Easy Lay, Georgia Home Boy,
Grievous Bodily Harm, Liquid X, and Goop
Ketamine
Ketamine is an anesthetic that is abused for its hallucinogenic
properties. Its predominant legitimate use is as a veterinary
anesthetic; however, it has been approved for use with both animals
and humans. Abuse of the drug gained popularity when users
discovered that it produced effects similar to those associated with
PCP. Because of its anesthetic properties, ketamine also reportedly
has been used by sexual predators to incapacitate their intended
victims. Ketamine generally is sold as either a colorless,
odorless liquid or white or off-white powder.In
either its powder or liquid forms, ketamine is mixed with beverages
or added to smokable materials such as marijuana or tobacco. In
addition to the risks associated with ketamine itself, individuals
who use the drug may put themselves at risk of sexual assault.
Sexual predators reportedly have used ketamine to incapacitate their
intended victims--either by lacing unsuspecting victims' drinks with
the drug or by offering ketamine to victims who consume the drug
without understanding the effects it will produce. The most
common names for ketamine are K, special K, cat valium, and vitamin
K.
Ecstasy
(MDMA)
also referred to
as XTC Ecstasy is the name for MDMA (3-4
methylenedioxymethamphetamine). MDMA (and its close relation MDA)
are classified as enactogens, drugs that have stimulant,
hallucinogenic and mood-improving qualities. Ecstasy is almost
always swallowed in 60 to 120 mg pills. The strength and contents of
Ecstasy tablets cannot be known accurately. Sometimes these pills
are stamped with symbols (like clover leafs, horseshoes, or smiley
faces) . All Ecstasy available on the street is produced in
unregulated black market laboratories.
RAPE, ABUSE AND
INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK
TEL: 800-656-4676
(656-HOPE)
- Don't accept drinks from other people.
- Open containers yourself.
- Keep your drink with you at all times, even when you go
to the bathroom.
- Don't share drinks.
- Don't drink from punch bowls or other large, common,
open containers. They may already have drugs in them.
- Don't drink anything that tastes or smells strange.
Sometimes, GHB tastes salty.
- Have a non-drinking friend with you to make sure nothing
happens.
- If you think that you have been drugged and raped:
- Go to the police station or hospital
right away.
- Get a urine (pee) test as soon as
possible. The drugs leave your system quickly. Rohypnol
stays in the body for several hours, and can be detected in
the urine up to 72 hours after taking it. GHB leaves the
body in 12 hours.
- Don't urinate before getting help.
- Don't douche, bathe, or change clothes
before getting help. These things may give evidence of the
rape.
- You also can call a crisis center or a
hotline to talk with a counselor. One national hotline is
the National Sexual Assault Hotline at
1-800-656-HOPE. Feelings of shame, guilt, fear and
shock are normal. It is important to get counseling from a
trusted professional.
For more
information on date rape drugs, contact the National Women's
Health Information Center at 800-994-9662 or the following
organizations:
Drug Enforcement Administration, DOJ
Phone: (202) 307-1000
Internet Address:
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea
Food and Drug Administration, OPHS, HHS
Phone: (800) 332-4010 Hotline or (888) 463-6332 (Consumer
Information)
Internet Address:
http://www.fda.gov
National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, HHS
Phone: (800) 662-4357 Hotline or (800) 662-9832 Spanish Language
Hotline
Internet Address:
http://www.drugabuse.gov
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Phone: (800) 666-3332 (Information Clearinghouse)
Internet Address:
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/index.html)
Internet Address:
http://www.fda.gov
National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, HHS
Phone: (800) 662-4357 Hotline or (800) 662-9832 Spanish Language
Hotline
Internet Address:
http://www.drugabuse.gov






