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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), and 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.

Is alcohol a date rape drug?

While GHB, rohypnol, and ketamine are considered “date rape drugs,” there are other drugs that affect judgment and behavior, and can put a person at risk for unwanted or risky sexual activity. In terms of sexual assault, alcohol is the NUMBER ONE “date rape drug.” When a person is drinking alcohol:

• It’s harder to think clearly and evaluate a potentially dangerous situation.
• It’s harder to resist sexual or physical assault.
• Drinking too much alcohol can also cause black-outs and memory loss.

But remember: even if a survivor of sexual assault drank alcohol, he or she is NOT at fault for being assaulted. The responsibility for the assault lies solely on the shoulders of the perpetrator.

What do the 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, and 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, and 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).

Things to remember

• Don’t accept drinks from other people, except trusted friends.
• Open containers yourself.
• Keep your drink with you at all times, even when you go to the bathroom.
• Don’t share drinks.
• Don’t drink from punch bowls or other large, common, open
  containers. They may already have drugs in them.
• Don’t drink anything that tastes or smells strange. Sometimes,
  GHB tastes salty.
• Have a non-drinking friend with you to make sure nothing happens.

If you think that you have been drugged and raped

• Go to the police station or hospital right away.
• Get a urine (pee) test as soon as possible. The drugs leave your
  system quickly. Rohypnol leaves your body 72 hours after you take
  it. GHB leaves the body in 12 hours.
• Don’t urinate before getting help.
• Don’t douche, bathe, or change clothes before getting
  help. These things may give evidence of the
  rape.
• You also can call a crisis center or a hotline to talk with a counselor.
  One national hotline is the National Domestic Violence Hotline
  at 800-799-SAFE or 800-787-3224 (TDD). Feelings of shame, guilt, fear
  and shock are normal. It is important to get counseling from a trusted
  professional.
• Call the Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate (SASA) Network for free and confidential advice about next steps. On call 24/7 during the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters 303.871.3456.

Source: www.4women.gov