I was at this party and this guy gave me a drink. The next thing I know, it’s morning and I’m in someone’s bed. I have no idea what happened in between.

Rapists no longer have to rely on physical force to enable their violence. All they need to do is slip a couple of pills into the drink of an unsuspecting victim. Is there anything more despicable? This is not just a big city crime, either. Just because we live in a small town should not make anyone feel immune to the dangers — these drugs are everywhere, including your community.

There are two main drugs of choice for facilitating rape: Rohypnol, and GHB. Both are undetectable when added to a drink, and both lead to similar results: impaired judgement, disinhibition, loss of motor skills, and unconsciousness. A victim that cannot fight back, or doesn’t even know they are being victimized, is exactly the one desired by the rapist.

Rohypnol is a brand name registered to Hoffman-LaRoche Inc. for a drug generically called flunitrazepam. While it is illegal in North America, it is still prescribed as a sleeping pill in many countries. It has been used for treating short-term insomnia and as a pre-anesthetic. Its effects are rather similar to Valium (diazepam) but it is about ten times more potent. Other names for Rohypnol include: Roofies, Rophies, Roach, R-2, Mind Erasers, the forget-me pill, Roche, and Stupifi.

The other main rape-facilitating drug in use is GHB (gammahydroxybutrate). It is usually found as a colourless, odourless liquid, but also comes in a white powder form. GHB is usually added to another drink to mask its saltiness. It is also know as: Liquid Ecstasy, Liquid X, Grievous Bodily Harm, Liquid G, Somatomax, Cherry Meth, Easy Lay, Gamma 10, and Goop. It is dangerously unpredictable with side effects that can include coma and death.

These two drugs, especially in combination with alcohol, will induce blackout with memory loss. The effects hit with no warning and can look a lot like drunkenness: within about ten minutes the victim begins to feel dizzy, disoriented and may feel nauseated. This makes for an easy “rescue” by the rapist who may offer to help by carrying or bringing the victim safely home. Of course, that is not the only method attackers will use.

One of the most challenging aspects of detecting these so-called date rape drugs is that within 24 hours, their presence can be gone from the body. Sexual assault victims who believe they were drugged typically report remembering a sensation of being drunk well beyond any alcohol they had consumed. They report unexplained gaps in memory, signs of physical trauma and altered levels of consciousness. Many remember having a drink, but nothing afterwards until they awoke.

Other warning signs that a person has been drugged include waking up feeling hung over and not being able to account for a period of time. The victim may also have a feeling that they had sexual contact with someone, but cannot remember any of the details.

Protecting yourself from Rohypnol and GHB is mostly about being aware — all the time!

· Only drink beverages that you have opened or got for yourself.
· If you do accept a drink from someone you don't know well enough to trust, make sure it is an unopened container and that you open it yourself.
· Never put your drink down unattended, even to go to the washroom. If you do, throw it out.
· Do not share drinks with anyone else; do not drink from a container that is passed around; avoid open drinks such as punch.
· Do not drink anything that has an unusual taste or colour to it. A drink that is salty or soft drink that is flat can be signs of GHB.
· Use the “buddy” system at parties, and watch your friend’s drink if they are not alert.
· Be suspicious of eyedroppers, mouthwash bottles, and bubble solutions — they are often used as GHB containers.
· Remember that most women who are assaulted know their attacker.
· If you think you have been a victim, notify the police immediately. Also, don’t urinate, shower or rinse your clothes.
A rapist is a rapist, no matter that they use a drug as their weapon. Don’t be a victim. Don’t be a rapist.
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