Frequently Asked questions
Date Rape
ber what happened while you were
drugged. Date rape drugs are used on
both females and males.
Drugs
The three most common date rape
drugs are:
• Rohypnol (roh-HIP-nol).
Rohypnol is the trade name for
Q: What are date rape drugs? f lunitrazepam (FLOO-neye-TRAZ-
uh-pam). Abuse of two similar drugs
A: These are drugs that are sometimes
appears to have replaced Rohypnol
used to assist a sexual assault. Sexual
womenshealth.gov abuse in some parts of the United
assault is any type of sexual activity
1-800-994-9662 States. These are: clonazepam (mar-
that a person does not agree to. It can
keted as Klonopin in the U.S. and
TDD: 1-888-220-5446 include touching that is not okay; put-
Rivotril in Mexico) and alprazolam
ting something into the vagina; sexual
(marketed as Xanax).
intercourse; rape; and attempted rape.
These drugs are powerful and danger- • GHB, which is short for gamma
ous. They can be slipped into your hydroxybutyric (GAM-muh heye-
drink when you are not looking. The DROX-ee-BYOO-tur-ihk) acid
drugs often have no color, smell, or • Ketamine (KEET-uh-meen)
taste, so you can’t tell if you are being
drugged. The drugs can make you These drugs also are known as “club
become weak and confused — or even drugs” because they tend to be used
pass out — so that you are unable to at dance clubs, concerts, and “raves.”
refuse sex or defend yourself. If you They go by many street names:
are drugged, you might not remem-
Rohypnol is also known as:
Circles R-2 Rope
Forget Pill Rib Rophies
LA Rochas Roach Ruffies
Lunch Money Roach-2 Trip-and-Fall
Mexican Valium Roches Whiteys
Mind Erasers Roofies
Poor Man's Quaalude Roopies
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
Frequently Asked questions
GHB is also known as:
Bedtime Scoop G-Juice Liquid Ecstasy
Cherry Meth Gook Liquid X
Easy Lay Goop PM
Energy Drink Great Hormones Salt Water
G Grievous Bodily Harm Soap
Gamma 10 (GBH) Somatomax
Georgia Home Boy Liquid E Vita-G
womenshealth.gov
Ketamine is also known as:
1-800-994-9662
Black Hole Jet Psychedelic Heroin
TDD: 1-888-220-5446
Bump K Purple
Cat Valium K-Hole Special K
Green Kit Kat Super Acid
cola or dark beer, or in a dark room.
The term “date rape” is widely used. Also, the pills with no dye are still
But most experts prefer the term available. The pills may be ground
“drug-facilitated sexual assault.” up into a powder.
These drugs also are used to help
people commit other crimes, like • GHB has a few forms: a liquid with
robbery and physical assault. They no odor or color, white powder,
are used on both men and women. and pill. It might give your drink a
The term “date rape” also can be slightly salty taste. Mixing it with a
misleading because the person who sweet drink, such as fruit juice, can
commits the crime might not be mask the salty taste.
dating the victim. Rather, it could be • Ketamine comes as a liquid and a
an acquaintance or stranger. white powder.
Q: What do the drugs look like? Q: What effects do these drugs
A: • Rohypnol comes as a pill that dis- have on the body?
solves in liquids. Some are small, A: These drugs are very powerful. They
round, and white. Newer pills are can affect you very quickly and with-
oval and green-gray in color. When out your knowing. The length of time
slipped into a drink, a dye in these that the effects last varies. It depends on
new pills makes clear liquids turn how much of the drug is taken and if
bright blue and dark drinks turn the drug is mixed with other drugs or
cloudy. But this color change might alcohol. Alcohol makes the drugs even
be hard to see in a dark drink, like stronger and can cause serious health
problems — even death.
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
Frequently Asked questions
Rohypnol • Problems seeing
The effects of Rohypnol can be felt • Loss of consciousness (black out)
within 30 minutes of being drugged
and can last for several hours. If you • Seizures
are drugged, you might look and act • Can’t remember what happened
like someone who is drunk. You might while drugged
have trouble standing. Your speech
• Problems breathing
might be slurred. Or you might pass
out. Rohypnol can cause these prob- • Tremors
lems: • Sweating
womenshealth.gov • Muscle relaxation or loss of muscle • Vomiting
1-800-994-9662
control
• Slow heart rate
TDD: 1-888-220-5446 • Difficulty with motor movements
• Dream-like feeling
• Drunk feeling
• Coma
• Problems talking
• Death
• Nausea
Ketamine
• Can’t remember what happened Ketamine is very fast-acting. You
while drugged might be aware of what is happen-
• Loss of consciousness (black out) ing to you, but unable to move. It also
• Confusion causes memory problems. Later, you
might not be able to remember what
• Problems seeing happened while you were drugged.
• Dizziness Ketamine can cause these problems:
• Sleepiness • Distorted perceptions of sight and
sound
• Lower blood pressure
• Lost sense of time and identity
• Stomach problems
• Out of body experiences
• Death
• Dream-like feeling
GHB
GHB takes effect in about 15 minutes • Feeling out of control
and can last 3 or 4 hours. It is very • Impaired motor function
potent: A very small amount can have
• Problems breathing
a big effect. So it’s easy to overdose on
GHB. Most GHB is made by people • Convulsions
in home or street “labs.” So, you don’t • Vomiting
know what’s in it or how it will affect
you. GHB can cause these problems: • Memory problems
• Relaxation • Numbness
• Drowsiness • Loss of coordination
• Dizziness • Aggressive or violent behavior
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• Nausea • Depression
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
Frequently Asked questions
• High blood pressure • It’s harder to say “no” to sexual
• Slurred speech advances.
• It’s harder to fight back if a sexual
assault occurs.
Q: Are these drugs legal in the
United States? • It’s possible to blackout and to have
A: Some of these drugs are legal when memory loss.
lawfully used for medical purposes. But The club drug “ecstasy” (MDMA) has
that doesn't mean they are safe. These been used to commit sexual assault. It
drugs are powerful and can hurt you. can be slipped into someone’s drink
womenshealth.gov They should only be used under a doc- without the person’s knowledge. Also,
tor’s care and order. a person who willingly takes ecstasy is
1-800-994-9662
• Rohypnol is NOT legal in the United at greater risk of sexual assault. Ecstasy
TDD: 1-888-220-5446 can make a person feel “lovey-dovey”
States. It is legal in Europe and
Mexico, where it is prescribed for towards others. It also can lower a per-
sleep problems and to assist anesthe- son’s ability to give reasoned consent.
sia before surgery. It is brought into Once under the drug’s inf luence, a
the United States illegally. person is less able to sense danger or to
resist a sexual assault.
• Ketamine is legal in the United States
for use as an anesthetic for humans
and animals. It is mostly used on Even if a victim of sexual assault
animals. Veterinary clinics are drank alcohol or willingly took
robbed for their ketamine supplies. drugs, the victim is NOT at fault for
• GHB was recently made legal in the being assaulted. You cannot “ask for
United States to treat problems from it” or cause it to happen.
narcolepsy (a sleep disorder).
Distribution of GHB for this pur-
Q: How can I protect myself from
pose is tightly restricted.
being a victim?
A: • Don’t accept drinks from other
Q: Is alcohol a date rape drug? people.
What about other drugs? • Open containers yourself.
A: Any drug that can affect judgment
and behavior can put a person at risk • Keep your drink with you at all
for unwanted or risky sexual activity. times, even when you go to the
Alcohol is one such drug. In fact, alco- bathroom.
hol is the drug most commonly used • Don’t share drinks.
to help commit sexual assault. When a
• Don’t drink from punch bowls or
person drinks too much alcohol:
other common, open containers.
• It’s harder to think clearly. They may already have drugs in
• It’s harder to set limits and make them.
good choices. • If someone offers to get you a drink
• It’s harder to tell when a situation from a bar or at a party, go with the
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could be dangerous. person to order your drink. Watch
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
Frequently Asked questions
the drink being poured and carry it Q: What should I do if I think I’ve
yourself. been drugged and raped?
• Don't drink anything that tastes or A: • Get medical care right away. Call
smells strange. Sometimes, GHB 911 or have a trusted friend take
tastes salty. you to a hospital emergency room.
Don't urinate, douche, bathe, brush
• Have a nondrinking friend with you
your teeth, wash your hands, change
to make sure nothing happens.
clothes, or eat or drink before you
• If you realize you left your drink go. These things may give evidence
unattended, pour it out. of the rape. The hospital will use a
womenshealth.gov • If you feel drunk and haven’t drunk “rape kit” to collect evidence.
1-800-994-9662 any alcohol — or, if you feel like the • Call the police from the hospital.
effects of drinking alcohol are stron- Tell the police exactly what you
TDD: 1-888-220-5446
ger than usual — get help right away. remember. Be honest about all your
activities. Remember, nothing you
did — including drinking alcohol or
Q: Are there ways to tell if I might
doing drugs — can justify rape.
have been drugged and raped?
A: It is often hard to tell. Most victims • Ask the hospital to take a urine (pee)
don’t remember being drugged or sample that can be used to test for
assaulted. The victim might not be date rape drugs. The drugs leave
aware of the attack until 8 or 12 hours your system quickly. Rohypnol stays
after it occurred. These drugs also leave in the body for several hours, and
the body very quickly. Once a victim can be detected in the urine up to
gets help, there might be no proof that 72 hours after taking it. GHB leaves
drugs were involved in the attack. But the body in 12 hours. Don't urinate
there are some signs that you might before going to the hospital.
have been drugged: • Don’t pick up or clean up where
• You feel drunk and haven’t drunk you think the assault might have
any alcohol — or, you feel like the occurred. There could be evidence
effects of drinking alcohol are stron- left behind — such as on a drinking
ger than usual. glass or bed sheets.
• You wake up feeling very hung over • Get counseling and treatment.
and disoriented or having no memo- Feelings of shame, guilt, fear, and
ry of a period of time. shock are normal. A counselor can
help you work through these emo-
• You remember having a drink, but tions and begin the healing process.
cannot recall anything after that. Calling a crisis center or a hotline is
• You find that your clothes are torn a good place to start. One national
or not on right. hotline is the National Sexual
• You feel like you had sex, but you Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-
cannot remember it. HOPE. n
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
Frequently Asked questions
For more information...
For more information on date rape drugs, please call womenshealth.gov at 1-800-994-
9662 or contact the following organizations:
Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of National Drug Control
DOJ Policy
Phone: (202) 307-1000 Phone: (800) 666-3332 (Information
Internet Address: Clearinghouse)
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea Internet Address:
womenshealth.gov http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov
1-800-994-9662 Food and Drug Administration,
OPHS, HHS Men Can Stop Rape
TDD: 1-888-220-5446
Phone: (800) 332-4010 Hotline or (888) Phone: (202) 265-6530
463-6332 (Consumer Information) Internet Address:
Internet Address: http://www.fda.gov http://www.mencanstoprape.org
National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Center for Victims of Crime
NIH, HHS Phone: (800) 394-2255
Phone: (800) 662-4357 Hotline or (800) Internet Address: http://www.ncvc.org/
662-9832 Spanish Language Hotline ncvc
Internet Address:
http://www.drugabuse.gov/ Rape, Abuse, and Incest National
Network
Phone: (800) 656-4673 (656-HOPE)
Internet Address: http://www.rainn.org
This FAQ was reviewed by:
Susan Weiss
Chief, Science Policy Branch
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Content last updated December 5, 2008.
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
