Victims of drug-facilitated assault do not have the chance to say no or physically resist. Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate (GHB) and Rohypnol are two of the most common drugs used to incapacitate victims for drug rape or robbery. Figures indicate that drug rape has risen by 60 percent in the last two years and is still rising. These predator drugs are odorless, flavorless sedatives that are secretly mixed into the drink of unsuspecting victims. They produce drowsiness, loss of coordination, nausea, unconsciousness and memory loss. In some instances they may even cause death. The body quickly flushes out many of the so-called “date rape” drugs within 4 to 12 hours, making it difficult for authorities to determine if sex was not consensual. 

More than 430,000 sexual assaults occur annually in the United States, many of which involve alcohol and drugs.  More than 75 percent of college students who experience sexual assault are under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident. If you have been sexually assaulted, it is important to know that it is not your fault and that there are people out there who can help. And rapists are not always strangers or people you think you can pick out of a crowd. They are often people you thought you knew, so it’s important to always be aware of your surroundings. Whatever the circumstance, no one has the right to drug and assault you against your will.

Were You Drugged

You may have been drugged if you feel:

• Drowsy
• Confused
• Dizzy or sick to your stomach
• Overly drunk
• Overly happy or outgoing
• Unable to control your coordination
• As if you’ve had a blackout
• Unable to protect yourself from an attacker
• You’ve had memory loss

Protect yourself and your friends from becoming a victim by:

• Going with a group of trusted friends and looking out for each other
• Not drinking anything that has not been opened or prepared in front of you
• Not accepting drinks from another person, whether an acquaintance or not
• Not leaving your drink alone or with other people
• Being aware of your surroundings and others’ strange behavior
• Being just as cautious at a house or office party as you would at a club
• Checking your drink - if it appears different, don’t drink it
• Drinking from bottles whenever possible, and opening them yourself
• Not making the mistake of believing this can only happen to women
• Leaving your credit card, bank card and cash at home—robbery is another form of drug
• victimization

If you suspect you were drugged and/or raped:

• Call police immediately
• Seek medical attention
• Do not shower, bathe or change your clothes; evidence could be destroyed
• Do not disturb area where assault took place
• Collect your own urine sample if you cannot get medical attention within 4 hours of assault—these
• drugs leave your system very quickly
• Be very careful who you trust—70 percent of victims know their attacker
• Do not seek help from your date if you feel strange or sick, in case your date is the attacker
• Do not accept help or offers from strangers
• Get to a safe place
• If possible, get someone you trust to stay with you until the effects wear off or medical assistance arrives
• Do not be intimidated if you feel confused or are unsure, you may have been victimized; seek help
• Be aware that many of these drugs cause memory loss
• Know that you were under the influence of a noxious substance, you did not consent to anything and you were not in control