Rape drugs, also known as date rape drugs, are substances used to reduce someone’s ability to resist or protect themselves from sexual assault.  Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual activity that that the victim doesn’t consent to.  This can range from unwanted fondling to rape, and can happen to both women and men.  The effects of rape drugs cause the victim to become physically impaired (unable to fight back), unable to refuse sex and possibly not able to remember what happened.  Rape drugs are especially dangerous because they often don’t have a smell, color, or taste and can easily be added to drinks without the victim knowing it. 

     Alcohol is the most commonly used rape drug; about 50% of sexual assaults involving acquaintances happen when the victim is drunk.  Alcohol, especially large quantities, can impair judgment and leave a person unable to give consent.  Also, alcohol is usually used to hide any flavor or effects of other rape drugs, so always hold on to your drink and keep an eye on it, and don’t accept unopened drinks from anyone. 

     One rape drug is Ketamine, also known as Special K.  Ketamine causes numbness, hallucinations, unconsciousness and gives people an out of body experience.  Although it’s usually found as a clear liquid, it can also be cooked into a white powder.  Its effects can happen within 5 minutes of taking and last anywhere from 18-24 hours.  Ketamine is actually a drug used by veterinarians to sedate animals, and is not safe for humans.   

     Rohypnol, or roofies, is a brand name of a powerful sleeping pill that’s illegal in the U.S.  Rohypnol can cause short-term amnesia (can’t remember things), unconsciousness, muscle relaxation, dizziness and nausea (you feel like you might throw up).  It’s a pill and is usually crushed or dissolved in liquid.  It’s mostly colorless and odorless after it’s dissolved, however it has a slight bitter taste.  Effects can occur 20-30 minutes after ingestion and last approximately 8 hrs.  It leaves the body in 36-72 hours, so it’s important if you think you’ve been drugged and sexually assaulted to go and get tested right away.

     GHB (Liquid X) is another type of rape drug that comes in a pill, white powder, or liquid.  It’s colorless and has no odor when put in a drink, although the taste might be a little salty.  GHB can cause nausea, vomiting, delusions, amnesia, blackouts, confusion and other side effects.  Effects can occur within 15 minutes of taking and last up to 4 hours.  It’ll leave the body in 10-12 hours, so again, if you think you’ve been drugged and sexually assaulted you need to get tested fast.

      Ecstasy (E, X) is also considered to be a rape drug.  Its psychedelic effects make someone less likely to sense danger and leave them unable to protect themselves.  Ecstasy can cause excessive thirst, blurred vision, chills, hallucinations, heat stroke and make you pass out.

     There are some things you can do to be safer when going to parties, clubs or bars:

  ·        Don’t accept open drinks from strangers or people you don’t know very well.

  ·        Plan with your friends to watch out for each other and come home together no matter what.

  ·        Don’t leave your drink alone, even non-alcoholic ones.

  ·        If you hear people talking, or even joking about rape drugs, pay extra attention to the situation and your  safety.

  ·        Prevent getting yourself into an uncomfortable situation-stick with trusted friends and make safe choices.

  ·        If you feel like you’re getting really dizzy or confused after only 1 or 2 drinks and this is not your typical reaction, or after only having non-alcoholic drinks, go to a safe place and get help immediately.

If you think you’ve been drugged and/or sexually assaulted:

·        Go to a safe place and call 911, or go to the police station or emergency room immediately.

·        Don’t urinate (go to the bathroom) before getting help.

·        Don’t douche, take a bath or change clothes before getting help; these things can erase evidence of the sexual assault.

·        Get a urine test as soon as possible; like we said, the drugs leave your body quickly, and the urine test can be the only way to prove you were drugged.

     If you are ever sexually assaulted, it is not your fault.  It doesn’t matter if you were drugged and sexually assaulted or not, it is not your fault.  Even with alcohol, if you drink too much, it does not give someone permission to sexually assault you just because you weren’t able to say no. 

     If this is an emergency, call the Sex Abuse Treatment Center at 808-524-RAPE (7273) to talk to someone and get the help you need.