Date Rape Drugs: Avoid Sexual Assault by Acquaintances or Predators
Date rape drugs allow a predatory criminal to take advantage of unsuspecting victims, which has led to a widespread problem of sexual assault. These drugs are easy to conceal, and can be slipped into a drink in an instant, so the recipient of the drug will have no idea their beverage was even tampered with.
What are date rape drugs?
Any substance that takes away an individual's ability to function or understand what is happening to them may fall into this category, but the three most common drugs are Rohypnol, GHB and Ketamine. Statistics show that these drugs are most often given to women without their knowledge, usually by an acquaintance or person they have gone out on a date with.
Rohypnol, also known as roofies or ruffies, are small pills that dissolve quickly when placed in a drink. They do not have any odor or taste, so once they have been mixed in with a beverage, they are almost impossible to detect. When a person does inadvertently swallow Rohypnol, they will start to feel the effects in less than half of an hour. As the drug becomes active in a person's system, they will be likely to completely black out, lose control of their bodily functions and not be aware of what is happening to them. This altered state can last for several hours, and afterwards the victim may not have any recollection of anything that has occurred during this time.
GHB, or Gamma Hydroxy Butrate, is an unregulated synthetic drug that can be even more dangerous than Rohypnol, because there is no way to know how powerful each pill may be. It does not usually have any scent or flavor, but one way to help identify the presence of GHB is by the salty aftertaste it sometimes produces in a drink. If your beverage does have an unusual salt flavor to it, the best advice to follow is to have a friend you trust support you by taking you home and watching you closely to determine if you have been drugged.
Ketamine can be purchased in either a liquid or powder form, so it will also easily mix in with any beverage. It does not have a noticeable taste or scent, so a person may consume it without their knowledge. This drug produces the same loss of bodily control and memory that other date rape drugs create.
The effects of being drugged
Any person who has been subjected to a date rape drug is likely to suffer from several symptoms including difficulty breathing, temporary amnesia, loss of control over normal bodily functions and a decreased heart rate. After a person has consumed the drug, they may be subjected to violence, sexual assault and other trauma, and not be able to fight back or even be aware of the abuse.
The long term effects are often that the victim suffers from a serious personal crisis that may take years of counseling and professional treatment to overcome. People who have been drugged will often become very fearful for their general safety, and withdraw from friends, family and social lives because they feel that the best way to avoid being hurt by this crime again is to hide away and spend their time alone.
Know the facts about date rape prevention
The majority of stories about someone being victimized by date rape drugs occur while on a date, in a bar or on a college campus. With a little education and understanding of how to identify the signs that you may be at risk, you can take steps avoid exposure to these drugs.
Any stranger who brings you a drink should be viewed as a potential threat, and it is best never to accept a beverage from someone you don't know unless you see it being made by a bartender, and it is handed directly to you. Once you have your drink, be sure to keep it in sight at all times. Never leave your glass unattended as it only takes a second to slip something into it.
Date rape drugs act quickly and have a very powerful impact, so if you have had very little to drink and find yourself feeling exceptionally inebriated, keep in mind you may have been drugged. Don't take any chances; have a trusted friend help you or leave to find assistance before you suffer from a complete loss of control.
Drugging a person is a serious criminal offense that can lead to jail time. Not only do the drugs allow a predator to take advantage of others, they are also very unstable and can lead to serious health issues or even death, especially when mixed with alcohol. If you or anyone you know has been the victim of a drugging, seek medical attention immediately and provide your doctor with as many details as possible so they can give you the help that you need.
We strongly keeping yourself safe with a simple and inexpensive test that can detect substances in your alcoholic or non alcoholic drink: