Steps you
can take to decrease the risk that you will become a date rape drug
victim.
The introduction of date rape drugs
into mainstream culture has put a very powerful weapon in
the hands of sexual predators. Rapes can be easily committed
behind a foggy haze of intoxication often leaving the victim
oblivious to the fact they have been assaulted. It is a
frightening thought that begs the question: "What, if
anything, can be done to stop a person from falling victim
to a rape using a date rape drug?" There are some simple
behavior modifications you can make to ensure that you do
not fall prey to a rapist armed with a date rape drug. To
protect yourself always follow these simple rules:
Don't accept open drinks
(alcoholic or non-alcoholic) from others who you do not
know or do not trust; this includes drinks that come in
a glass.
When in bars or clubs always
get your drink directly from the bartender and do not
take your eyes off the bartender or your order; don't
use the waitress or let somebody go to the bar for you.
At parties, only accept drinks
in close containers: bottles, cans or tetra packs.
Never leave your drink
unattended or turn your back on your table.
Do not drink from open
beverage sources like punch bowls, pitchers or tubs.
Keep your eyes and ears open;
if there is talk of date rape drugs or if friends seem
"too intoxicated" for what they have taken, leave the
party or club immediately and don't go back!
Date Rape Drugs
Date rape drugs explained and
de-mystified.
In recent years a new kind
of rape threat has reared it's ugly head at parties,
on campuses and in nightclubs - so called "predator"
or "date rape" drugs. What exactly are date rape
drugs? Technically speaking, any substance that
renders you incapable of saying no or asserting
yourself and your needs can be used to commit rape.
This can include things like alcohol, marijuana or
other street drugs, designer or club drugs like
ecstasy, over-the-counter sleeping pills and
antihistamines, even cold medications. However, the
term "date rape drug" usually applies to the drugs
Rohypnol, Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate (GHB)
and Ketamine Hydrochloride.
Why do these drugs make
effective date rape drugs?
There are many factors that
make these drugs desirable to sexual predators. The
drugs are virtually undetectable; they are
tasteless, odorless and colorless. All traces of the
drugs will leave the body within 72 hours of
ingestion and are not found in any routine
toxicology screen or blood test - doctors and police
have to be looking specifically for them and they
have to look quickly! Date rape drugs are easily
slipped into drinks and food and are very fast
acting. They render the victim unconscious but
responsive with little or no memory of what happens
while the drug is active in their system. The drugs
also make the victim act without inhibition, often
in a sexual or physically affectionate way. Like
most drugs, date rape drugs render a person
incapable of thinking clearly or of making
appropriate decision. This makes for a very passive
victim, one who is still able to play a role in what
is happening but who will have no clear memory of
what happened after-the-fact. Without any memory of
events the victim is often unaware that they have
even been raped, and if they are aware or have
suspicions they make very poor witnesses.
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