Date Rape Drugs

"Date Rape", or acquaintance rape, is the victimization and subsequent sexual assault of an individual, male or female, by someone they know intimately or just as an acquaintance. It can occur on a first date, or by someone the victim has come to know and trust.

"Date Rape" can be assisted by "date rape" drugs. The most common drugs used are Rohypnol, GHB, Ketamine, and Ecstasy. These drugs are sometimes odorless and colorless and the victim is therefore unaware they are being drugged. The onset of the drugs is as little as five minutes or no longer than a half an hour.

• Rohypnol is also called "Forget-me Pill", "Rib", "Roofies", and "Roaches". The drug is usually a white pill or powder and may emit a blue or green dye as it dissolves in liquid. Some of the effects it causes are dizziness, intoxication, muscle relaxation, drowsiness, confusion, blackout, and nausea.
• GHB is known as "Easy Lay", "G", "GH Buddy", "Liquid Ecstasy", and "Zonked". GHB is either a clear or light colored liquid, putty form, or white powder. Effects of this drug are dizziness, vomiting, deep coma-like sleep, no sense of touch, and amnesia.
• Ketamine's street names are "Breakfast Cereal", "Bump", "Cat Valium", "K", "Kat", "Kit Kat", and "Special K". Side effects of this are memory loss, vomiting, dizziness, hallucinations, flashbacks, numbness, increased heart rate, flighty feeling, and no sense of touch.
• Ecstasy can sometimes be called a name referring to the picture on the pill. Common names also include "X", "Hug Drug", "Love Drug", "Adam", "E", "Essence", and "Euros". The effects of ecstasy include increased sense of touch, dehydration, teeth grinding, increased body temperature and pulse, nausea, and blurred vision.

There are techniques you can use to avoid being a victim of drug facilitated sexual assault:

• Create a "Buddy System" with your friends. Go out together, check in with each other, and leave together.
• Do not leave your drink unattended.
• Do not accept drinks from anyone. If you do accept a drink, make sure you watched the drink get made or the bottle has not been opened.
• Do not drink from punch bowls.
• If your drink looks or tastes different than it should, do not drink it.

If you think you have consumed a drink that has been contaminated, report to your local medical facility. "Date rape" drugs can be detected within the blood up to 72 hours after ingestion. For more information on drug facilitated sexual assault, please contact 825-6277. If you have been sexually assaulted please contact our Sexual Assault Services hotline 1-877-212-2323.