Date rape drugs

Date rape drugs

Caption : Orange Pills Photographer : Darren Hester

What are they?

Date rape drugs are a problem all over the world. They are drugs which are sometimes used to aid sexual assaults, and occasionally robberies. Anything that affects your ability to protect yourself from rape, and other types of sexual or physical assault, falls under this category.

Drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, ecstasy, sleeping pills, antihistamines and generic cold medicines can be used on victims. However, there are three main drugs commonly recognised as date rape drugs: GHD (Gama Hydroxybutyric Acid), Rohypnol (Flunitrazepam), and Ketamine (Ketamine Hydrochloride). Remember that sexual and physical assault can happen to both men and women.

What effects do they have?

Date rape drugs take effect quickly; making it very difficult to realise you’ve been drugged. Sexual predators use these drugs because they make the victim unconscious yet still responsive. The victim may even willingly go along with the assaulter’s wishes because their inhibitions are gone, as well as the ability to make clear, safe decisions.

Another reason why date rape drugs are used is because the victim usually has no recollection of what has happened; they probably won’t even remember being abused, never mind their attacker’s characteristics. Also, alcoholic drinks are usually spiked because the effects of the drug strengthen and their duration lengthens when mixed with alcohol.

Here are some common side effects for the three most common drugs used:

GHB

Intense relaxation, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, impaired vision, unconsciousness, seizures, loss of memory, respiratory problems, shakiness, sweating, vomiting, a dream-like feeling, coma, death.

Rohypnol

Relaxation, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, impaired vision, loss of consciousness, amnesia, lower blood pressure, drunk feeling, slurring of words, motor functions impaired, confusion.

Ketamine

Hallucinations, impaired time perception and self identity, distortion of sight and sound, feeling of out of control, impaired motor functions, respiratory problems, convulsions, vomiting, a dream-like feeling, numbness, loss of coordination, aggressive/ violent behaviour, slurred speech.

Alcohol is also a date rape drug because it affects judgment and behaviour. It is harder to think clearly and evaluate situations for danger. Lowered inhibitions and loss of coordination can prevent someone from resisting sexual or physical abuse and can cause black outs and memory loss.

How can I identify them?

Unfortunately, you can’t. Date rape drugs are colourless, with no smell or taste. It’s even near impossible to detect them in water. However, GHB does tend to taste a little salty, so if your drink tastes weird, throw it away! Date rape drugs can be used in a pill or powder form so they can easily be slipped and dissolved into drinks unnoticed.

Once you have been drugged it is difficult to find traces of date rate drugs. Normal blood tests don’t pick them up; they must be tested for specifically. Another problem is that once they are in your system, they don’t last very long. Rohypnol lasts for several hours and can be detected for up to 72 hours but GHB leaves the body in 12 hours and then no proof can be obtained.

How can I protect myself?

Little things you can do make all the difference!

Here are a few simple things you can do to protect yourself and your friends:

• don’t accept drinks from other people
• always get your drink directly from bartender, watch your drink being made if someone is buying it for you
• often the assaulter is someone you know, so watch out!
• open containers yourself
• don’t leave your drink by itself, watch it at all times
• drinking from public punch bowls or open containers at parties is a bad idea
• if something tastes a little off, stop drinking
• have a designated friend with you
• if someone is keen on buying you a lot of drinks be careful of his or her intentions
• if you think something happened then go to police or hospital immediately, there could be evidence on your clothes or yourself, and the period of detecting the drugs is very short lived.

Where is this happening?

Drug raping happens mostly in college campuses, bars and nightclubs. People are vulnerable in these places because there are lots of distractions and dim lighting. Many times people in these places are already under the influence of alcohol, allowing for perpetrators to go unnoticed.

There has been a significant rise of these crimes in inner-city night clubs. Assaulters are using a new drug called Midazolam or Hypnovel (originally as an anaesthetic to relax patients before a surgery). However, even if you don’t go to clubs and bars you’re still at risk—date raping can happen anywhere so always be cautious of you and your friends. And remember, the problem isn’t only happening in Australia, many other counties, such as the US and all throughout Europe, are dealing with this issue too.

So, what’s being done?

• In Australia there is a campaign called Drug Rape—Watch Yourself, Watch Your Friends. Brochures which provide information and numbers to call for help are being posted in bottle shops and bars, as well as hostels, boutiques and record stores.

• A test kit is available that consists of paper strips you stick in your drink. They change colour when date rape drugs are detected. This is made by a company called Drink Safe Technology http://www.drinksafetech.com.au. They’re available at chemists and via the company website. Note: they only work on some drugs.

How do I know this?

Cox, K 2003, ‘New date rape drug hits Sydney nightclubs’, _ The Sun-Herald_, 2 February, http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/02/01/10438045...

Drink Safe Technology, http://www.drinksafetech.com.au/

National Women's Health Information Center, Date rape drugs, http://www.4woman.gov/faq/rohypnol.htm

Teen Advice, Protecting yourself from date rape drugs, http://teenadvice.about.com/library/weekly/aa06250...

Affected by this issue yourself or know someone who is? Check out our sister site http://www.reachout.com.au/