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"Date Rape" Drugs

1. Name drugs most used as "date rape" drugs.
Answer: Rohypnol (also known as Ruffies and Rope) and GHB (also known as Liquid E and Grievous Bodily Harm) are the two most common drugs used for the purpose of raping a victim.

2. How are these drugs given to the victim?
Answer: These drugs are slipped into beverages. While the drugs are even more dangerous when mixed with alcohol, they can also be slipped into soda or juice. The drugs are colorless, odorless, and tasteless and do not fizz. This makes it all but impossible to detect when placed in a drink. They also dissolve very quickly.

3. What effects does a "date rape" drug have on the victim?
Answer: Rohypnol and GHB cause decreased judgment, communication and inhibition (self-consciousness). They cause disorientation that may last for a couple days. These drugs can also make the victim feel nauseous. Effects are felt within 20-30 minutes. There are basically three stages of the drug¹s effects: 1. Euphoria - stimulation like intoxication 2. "Knock-out" - the victim may be completely unconscious or in a dream like state 3. Short term memory loss - the victim may not be able to remember anything in a certain time period (like a blackout) or may only have bits and pieces of what happened during this time.

4. Why are drugs used in helping someone commit a rape considered weapons?
Answer: Both Rohypnol and GHB can be deadly, and additional penalties will be added to a convicted rapist's sentence if a drug is found to have been used. While they are more lethal when mixed with alcohol, they still can be deadly when mixed with juice or soda. A person giving a victim these drugs is not looking out for the victim's best interest, they are giving the victim these drugs to reduce their ability to resist.

5. Name three things a person could do to reduce their risk of becoming a victim of a drug induced rape.
Answer: Your answers may have included:

1. Never accept an open beverage (soda, juice or alcohol).

2. Watch your beverage at all times. It is not the safest idea to put a drink down, walk away, and expect to drink it again when you return.

3. If someone offers to buy you a drink, go with that person to the bartender or server. Watch the drink being poured, and only have it pass from the server's hand to yours.

4. Use the buddy system. Have a pact with your friends to watch one another's backs. Be a responsible friend.

5. If you are out and feel that someone may have slipped you a drug, tell your friends. Ask them to get you to a safe place, or even the hospital. Often times victims of these drugs, report having felt like they were the most drunk they had ever been (even those who only had one or two alcoholic drinks, or none at all). If a person has been a victim of, or believes they may have been given a date rape drug, we would encourage them to seek medical attention. If the victim chooses, they are able to go to the emergency room of their local hospital and ask to be tested for the date rape drugs. These drugs can be found in blood and urine samples, however they do not stay in the system very long. It is most likely that within 72 hours the drugs will be out of their system.