What are the Date Rape Drugs?
What do they look like and how are they used?
What are the Date Rape drugs effects?
How are the drugs detected in the body?
What to do if you have been drugged or raped?
How to reduce the chance of Date Rape?
What are the Date Rape drugs?
Rohypnol is also
known as: roofies, roche, rope, ruffies, R-2, roches, Mexican Valium, and La
Rocha.
Rohypnol is the trade/brand name of sleeping pills marketed by the drug manufacture Hoffman-La Roche, Inc. The actual drug name for Rohypnol is flunitrazepam, a benzodiazepine that is used in the treatment of insomnia and as a surgical anesthetic. Flunitrazepam has physiological effects similar to diazepam (known by its trade/brand name Valium), but flunitrazepam is approximately 10 times more potent.
GHB is also known as: the "Easy Lay", liquid x, Georgia home boy, Goop, gamma-oh, and grievous bodily harm.
GHB (Gamma Hydroxybutyrate) is a central nervous system depressant abused for its ability to produce euphoric and hallucinatory states and allegedly act as an anabolic steroid to stimulate muscle growth. GHB was originally an over-the-counter drug, but was taken off the market in 1990 due to overdoses and other health problems.
What do the drugs look like and how are they used?
Rohypnol has a white, dime-shaped appearance and looks similar to aspirin; counterfeit products may have a brownish-pink tint. The tablets are single or cross-scored on one side with "ROCHE" and "1" or "2" encircled on the other side. Rohypnol is ingested orally by dissolving it in juice, coffee, carbonated, and alcoholic beverages. Once dissolved, Rohypnol changes its appearance and becomes odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Currently, Hoffman-La Roche is reformulating Rohypnol to make it more detectable. With the new formula, Rohypnol dissolved in light-colored drinks will turn the beverage bright blue, and give a cloudy appearance to dark-colored drinks. Also, the drug will dissolve more slowly and form small chunky pieces. While these changes are underway please keep in mind that the reformulated drugs may not hit the streets for some time.
GHB can be found in a liquid form or as a white powder material. In a liquid form it may be dispensed from hotel shampoo-sized bottles – a capful is usually one dosage. It is typically taken orally and when combined in high doses with alcohol it causes incapacitating and intoxicating effects. Once dissolved in alcohol, GHB takes on an odorless, colorless, and slightly salty taste.
What are the effects of the Date Rape drugs?
Once ingested, Rohypnol’s effects begin within 30 minutes, peak within 2 hours, and may persist for up to 8 hours or more, depending upon the dosage.
GHB takes
effect in 10-20 minutes and lasts 1-3 hours.
The effects associated with
"Date Rape" drugs are:
How are the drugs detected in the body?
Rohypnol can be detected in urine or blood test for up to 72hrs.
GHB can be detected in a urine test for up to 4-12hrs.
What to do if you have been drugged or raped?
Go
to the nearest emergency room or rape crisis center. These services can test for
date rape drugs and can also help you with emotional and medical care if you
have been sexually assaulted.
How to reduce the chance of Date Rape?
Watch your drink.
Never accept an open drink from anyone other than the bartender, the party’s host, or one that you pour yourself. A good reminder is to also avoid punchbowls.
Do not leave your drink unattended.
If you do walk away from your drink do not consume it when you return. Be safe and pour it out. Remember that "Date Rape" drugs are odorless, colorless, and tasteless and can be added to any drink, including water.
Tell others about "Date Rape" drugs.
Awareness is a major factor in stopping this abuse.
Watch out for each other.
When out with friends be wary of each other’s drinks and who is around them.
If you think you’ve been given a date rape drug – seek help.
PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Centre - # 1-800-289-5656
