Date Rape Drugs
Rohypnol, Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate, or GHB, and Ketamine are the more common date rape drugs. They are all tasteless, odorless and invisible. Rapists will commonly use one of these by slipping it into their victim?s drink. A few sips of this drink can lead to unconsciousness within fifteen minutes. Common signs of having been drugged may include dizziness, disorientation, nausea, headache and exhaustion.
For more information on how to decrease the risk of being exposed to this situation, refer to How do I reduce my risk for assault?
Rohypnol (Roofies)
Rohypnol, known more commonly as roofies, has become the newest "date rape drug". It is a sleeping pill similar to Valium that is illegal for sale in the United States. When combined with alcohol, roofies illicit inhibition and amnesia. Rohypnol is associated with impaired judgment and motor skills. People who take roofies in conjunction with alcohol can have blackouts lasting 8-24 hours. This drug is colorless and tasteless and easily slipped into an unsuspecting victim's drinks. Victims may not know they were ever given roofies until they wake up hours later without being able to recall anything. This drug has become very common and dangerous on college campuses where drinking is prevalent. For information on how to decrease your risk of being exposed to roofies, look atHow do I reduce my risk for assault?
Other Date Rape Drugs
Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate
Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate (GHB) is a central nervous system depressant, which is used as an anesthetic in some countries. It is not approved for use in the United States. Some people think it is a safe recreational drug because it is naturally present in the brain. Yet this is an erroneous belief. The brain has a mechanism which controls the location and amount of GHB that is produced naturally in the body. This is not true when GHB is taken as a drug. GHB can cause euphoria and lower inhibitions, somewhat similar to the effect of alcohol. Since it can also lead to amnesia, it is sometimes used as a date rape drug.
High doses of GHB are toxic. Symptoms of acute GHB toxicity include vomiting, respiratory depression, seizures, coma, and even death. The combination of GHB and alcohol may increase the chances of GHB toxicity. Treatment for GHB overdoses rely on general nonspecific medical care, since there is no antidote for GHB overdose.
Other names for GHB are "Liquid Ecstasy", "Liquid E", "GBH", and many more.
The FDA classified GHB as a Schedule I drug. It is illegal to manufacture or sell this drug.
Ketamine
Ketamine hydrochloride, also known as "Vitamin K" and "Special K" is chemically related to PCP (angel dust). It is a prescription-only medicine used as a general anesthetic. The usual medical form is a liquid that is injected intramuscularly. Ketamine has a mixture of stimulant and depressant properties, yet the depressive effect is more extreme. This is why some people use this as a date rape drug.
Schedule I drugs
One of the five schedules of controlled substances in the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act. Schedule I drugs include drugs that have a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use, and are not proven to be safe under medical supervision. Examples of Schedule I drugs are heroin and LSD.