Drink Spiking - Date Rape (Rohypnol)

Date rape is now so well publicised that all sections of communities are aware of the dangers involved. It is a misconception that only females will be attacked using Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) to form a drug induced scenario, because the use of GHB (Gamma Hexa butyrate) has been prevalent in the gay scene, but contrary to popular belief alcohol is the most common date rape drug. (Alcohol)

Alcohol is a depressant drug, which is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and acts on the central nervous system to slow the body down, making the consumer less inhibited and more relaxed. The resulting effect is dependant on how quickly it was drunk, (whether the person has eaten and their body weight), what the tolerance levels are for that person (whether they are used to drinking large amounts or not) and how the person feels at the time of consumption, (it tends to reflect initial moods i.e. If that person was aggressive then the tendency is for it to get worse.)

The obvious consequences of alcohol make a victim more susceptible to intoxication via date rape drugs. Don't be mistaken by thinking that these drugs can only be added to drink they can also be placed in food and anything that you consume. The usual method is where the victim has consumed a quantity of drinks and the perpetrator spikes a glass with the drug. These drugs are odourless and tasteless and do not change the basic properties of the beverage, so if it wasn't seen to be placed in the glass the victim won't know it's there. They render the person drowsy, intoxicated and cause amnesia. They act without inhibition often in a sexual or physical way and render them incapable of making an informed decision and makes for a passive victim who is still able to play a role in what is happening but is unlikely to remember what has happened.

Rohypnol can be detected in the urine up to 48hrs after administration and GHB up to 12hrs, so it is vital if you believe that you have been raped, that you report it to the police as soon as possible so that the necessary samples can be taken from you.

Common sense is the only effectual safeguard against date rape and if you follow some basic rules there are a number of ways to reduce the risk of drug-assisted assault: