Find A Program That
Works
What are date rape drugs?
These are drugs that are sometimes used to assist a sexual
assault. Sexual assault is any type of sexual activity that a person does not
agree to. It can include inappropriate touching, vaginal penetration, sexual
intercourse, rape, and attempted rape. Because of the effects of these drugs,
victims may be physically helpless, unable to refuse sex, and can't remember
what happened. The drugs often have no color, smell, or taste and are
easily added to flavored drinks without the victim's knowledge. There are at
least three date rape drugs:
- GHB (gamma hydroxybutyric acid)
- Rohypnol (flunitrazepam)
- Ketamine (ketamine hydrochloride)
Although we use the term "date rape," most experts prefer the
term "drug-facilitated sexual assault." These drugs have been used to
help people commit other crimes, like robbery and physical assault, and have
been used on both men and women.
What do date rape drugs look like?
- GHB has a few forms: a liquid with no odor or color,
white powder, and pill.
- Rohypnol is a pill and dissolves in liquids. New pills
turn blue when added to liquids. However, the old pills, with no color, are
still available.
- Ketamine is a white powder.
What effects do these drugs have on the body?
The drugs can affect you quickly. The length of time that the effects
last varies. It depends on how much of the drug is taken and if the drug is
mixed with other substances, like alcohol. Alcohol can worsen the drug's
effects and can cause more health problems. Also, one drug GHB
can be made by people in their homes, so you don't know what's in it.
GHB
GHB can cause these problems:
- relaxation
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- nausea
- problems seeing
- unconsciousness (black out)
- seizures
- can't remember what happened while drugged
- problems breathing
- tremors
- sweating
- vomiting
- slow heart rate
- dream-like feeling
- coma
- death
Rohypnol
Rohypnol can cause these problems:
- can't remember what happened while drugged
- lower blood pressure
- sleepiness
- muscle relaxation or loss of muscle control
- drunk feeling
- nausea
- problems talking
- difficulty with motor movements
- loss of consciousness
- confusion
- problems seeing
- dizziness
- confusion
- stomach problems
Ketamine
Ketamine can cause these problems:
- hallucinations
- lost sense of time and identity
- distorted perceptions of sight and sound
- feeling out of control
- impaired motor function
- problems breathing
- convulsions
- vomiting
- out of body experiences
- memory problems
- dream-like feeling
- numbness
- loss of coordination
- aggressive or violent behavior
- slurred speech
Are these drugs legal in the United States?
Some of these drugs are legal, but that doesn't mean they're not
going to hurt you. Even if they're legal, you should not use them unless your
health care provider prescribes them.
-
Rohypnol is NOT legal in the U.S.
It is legal in Europe and Mexico and prescribed for sleep problems and as an
anesthetic (medicine given during surgery so you don't feel pain). It is
brought into the U.S. illegally.
-
Ketamine is legal in the U.S. for
use as an anesthetic for humans and animals. It is mostly used on animals.
Veterinary clinics are robbed for their Ketamine supply.
-
GHB was recently made legal in the
U.S to treat problems from narcolepsy (a sleep problem).
|