New Beginnings A Women's Crisis Center

Avoiding Date Rape Drugs:

Don't drink anything that has an unusual taste or appearance (salty taste, excessive foam, unexplained residue).
Never leave your drink unattended (even while you're dancing or in the bathroom).
Watch the bartender pour your drink and carry it yourself--even when someone else has offered to buy you a drink.
Don't drink from containers being passed around or from punch bowls.
If possible, bring your own drinks to parties and open them yourself. Don't share or exchange drinks with anyone.
Alcohol is the the substance most often used by perpetrators to facilitate a rape.

Signs You May have been Drugged:

You feel more intoxicated than your normal response to the amount of alcohol you consumed.
You wake up feeling extremely hung-over and can't account for a period of time.
One of the last things you remember is taking a drink, but what happened after that is blank.
You feel as though you've been sexually assaulted but you can't recall any or all of the incident.

If it Happens to You:

Get to a safe place.
Ask someone you trust to stay with you and assist you in getting help.
Get a sample of the beverage if you can.
Call 911 to report the incident to the police, even if you aren't sure what happened.
Go to a hospital emergency room as soon as possible. Most date rape drugs are matabolized by the body very quickly. The sooner you can get to the hospital for an exam and evidence collection, the better chance the hospital staff will find evidence to help identify the substance that was used to drug you. Unless you are a minor, the hospital staff won't report the sexual assault to the police without your consent.
Request that the hospital take a urine sample for drug toxicology testing.
Preserve all physical evidence of the assault. Do not shower, bathe, douche, wash, or brush your teeth. Save the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault. Do not disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred. Save any other materials that might contain evidence of the drug(s) you may have been given--such as the cup you were drinking from

Drug facilitated rapes are often unreported. Victims of this type of assault may blame themselves because of where they were, whom they were with, or how much they had to drink. You may feel responsible for the assault because you lost control. You may feel embarrassed that you know you were raped but do not know who raped you.

If you think you may have been a victim of rape, IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT.

No one has the right to force you to engage in sexual contact against your will. If they do, it is a crime for which they are solely responsible.

Commonly Used Date Rape Drugs:

Rohypnol is the brand name for the drug flunitrazepam. It is in the same family of medication as Valium and Xanax, but it has never been approved for use in the United States--in fact, it is illegal to manufacture, distrubute, or possess it in the U.S.

Rohypnol generally appears in tablet form. Once dissolved in a drink it is odorless. It may cause a drink to appear cloudy or release small floating bits.

Street names include: roofies, roche, R-Z, rope, stupify, shays, and R-2.

Rohypnol is a potent sedative. The physical effects of the drug may be noticable 15-30 minutes after ingestion and may last for several hours.

Rohypnol may cause drowsiness, disorientation, confusion, dizziness, impaired motor skills, impaired judgement, and reduced consciousness. You may look and act like someone who is drunk. Your speech may be slurred, and you may have difficulty walking. Or you may lose consciousness completely.

Rohypnol is very dangerous when mixed with alcohol. The combination can produce extremely low blood pressure, respitory depression, difficulty breathing, coma, or even death.

GHB is gamma-hydroxybutyrate. It has been tested for potential medical uses in the United States but has never been approved. GHB has been promoted as a growth hormone stimulant for body building, but in 1990 the FDA issued a warning that consumers stop using the drug because of its deleterious effects.

Most GHB being used today is the "homegrown" variety produced by non-professionals in street labs or kitchens. Batches may vary in purity, concentration, and potency.

GHB is most often a clear liquid, slightly thicker than water. It generally has a mild, indistinct odor and a slightly salty taste. It also appears in powder or capsule form.

Street names include: Grievous Bodily Harm, liquid ecstacy, liquid e, liquid x, easy lay, scoop, and Great Hormones at Bedtime.

GHB is a powerful sythetic drug that is rapidly metabolized by the body. The effects of the drug can be felt 15 minutes after ingestion.

The adverse effects of GHB may include: dizziness, drowsiness, vomitting, nausea, disorientation, seizures, respiratory depression, unconsciousness, and coma.

When GHB is ingested with other substances, the outcome could be life threatening. Without immediate and appropriate medical care the result could be fatal







			Drug Facilitated Rape

	Avoiding Date Rape Drugs: Don't drink anything that has an unusual taste or appearance (salty taste, excessive foam, unexplained residue). Never leave your drink unattended (even while you're dancing or in the bathroom). Watch the bartender pour your drink and carry it yourself--even when someone else has offered to buy you a drink. Don't drink from containers being passed around or from punch bowls. If possible, bring your own drinks to parties and open them yourself. Don't share or exchange drinks with anyone. Alcohol is the the substance most often used by perpetrators to facilitate a rape. Signs You May have been Drugged: You feel more intoxicated than your normal response to the amount of alcohol you consumed. You wake up feeling extremely hung-over and can't account for a period of time. One of the last things you remember is taking a drink, but what happened after that is blank. You feel as though you've been sexually assaulted but you can't recall any or all of the incident. If it Happens to You: Get to a safe place. Ask someone you trust to stay with you and assist you in getting help. Get a sample of the beverage if you can. Call 911 to report the incident to the police, even if you aren't sure what happened. Go to a hospital emergency room as soon as possible. Most date rape drugs are matabolized by the body very quickly. The sooner you can get to the hospital for an exam and evidence collection, the better chance the hospital staff will find evidence to help identify the substance that was used to drug you. Unless you are a minor, the hospital staff won't report the sexual assault to the police without your consent. Request that the hospital take a urine sample for drug toxicology testing. Preserve all physical evidence of the assault. Do not shower, bathe, douche, wash, or brush your teeth. Save the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault. Do not disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred. Save any other materials that might contain evidence of the drug(s) you may have been given--such as the cup you were drinking from Drug facilitated rapes are often unreported. Victims of this type of assault may blame themselves because of where they were, whom they were with, or how much they had to drink. You may feel responsible for the assault because you lost control. You may feel embarrassed that you know you were raped but do not know who raped you. If you think you may have been a victim of rape, IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT. No one has the right to force you to engage in sexual contact against your will. If they do, it is a crime for which they are solely responsible. Commonly Used Date Rape Drugs: Rohypnol is the brand name for the drug flunitrazepam. It is in the same family of medication as Valium and Xanax, but it has never been approved for use in the United States--in fact, it is illegal to manufacture, distrubute, or possess it in the U.S. Rohypnol generally appears in tablet form. Once dissolved in a drink it is odorless. It may cause a drink to appear cloudy or release small floating bits. Street names include: roofies, roche, R-Z, rope, stupify, shays, and R-2. Rohypnol is a potent sedative. The physical effects of the drug may be noticable 15-30 minutes after ingestion and may last for several hours. Rohypnol may cause drowsiness, disorientation, confusion, dizziness, impaired motor skills, impaired judgement, and reduced consciousness. You may look and act like someone who is drunk. Your speech may be slurred, and you may have difficulty walking. Or you may lose consciousness completely. Rohypnol is very dangerous when mixed with alcohol. The combination can produce extremely low blood pressure, respitory depression, difficulty breathing, coma, or even death. GHB is gamma-hydroxybutyrate. It has been tested for potential medical uses in the United States but has never been approved. GHB has been promoted as a growth hormone stimulant for body building, but in 1990 the FDA issued a warning that consumers stop using the drug because of its deleterious effects. Most GHB being used today is the "homegrown" variety produced by non-professionals in street labs or kitchens. Batches may vary in purity, concentration, and potency. GHB is most often a clear liquid, slightly thicker than water. It generally has a mild, indistinct odor and a slightly salty taste. It also appears in powder or capsule form. Street names include: Grievous Bodily Harm, liquid ecstacy, liquid e, liquid x, easy lay, scoop, and Great Hormones at Bedtime. GHB is a powerful sythetic drug that is rapidly metabolized by the body. The effects of the drug can be felt 15 minutes after ingestion. The adverse effects of GHB may include: dizziness, drowsiness, vomitting, nausea, disorientation, seizures, respiratory depression, unconsciousness, and coma. When GHB is ingested with other substances, the outcome could be life threatening. Without immediate and appropriate medical care the result could be fatal NHCADSV and Rape Treatment Center - Santa Monica, CA