Have you ever seen a movie where a lady goes to a not-so-crowded bar or even a hotel to meet a man and then gets up to use the restroom, only for the man to sneak something into her drink? Later, she passes out and wakes up in an unfamiliar bed, her panties slid down her legs and her bra hurled to one corner of the room. The lady had been raped!
The crazy part about this scenario is that it’s not just a narrative; these things happen in real life. I’ve read and heard about a few personal experiences involving rape on a date. How powerful is this substance that it simply knocks out someone in minutes? In this article, we will discuss date rape drugs and how they render people vulnerable to sexual assault.
What are Date Rape Drugs?
Date rape drugs are substances that disable a person, leaving them vulnerable to sexual assault. These drugs are often poured into drinks without the victim’s knowledge. It can cause memory loss, loss of consciousness, and physical weakness, making it easier for perpetrators to commit acts of sexual assault.
Common Types of Date Rape Drugs
Sometimes in the past, the first thing that comes to mind when I watch movies of people slipping drugs into other people’s drinks is, “Doesn’t this have some sort of taste to it?” Date rape drugs are apparently tasteless and odorless, making it easy to sneak them into someone’s drink. Let’s explore some popular date rape drugs.
A quick background on each drug
Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB): GHB is a central nervous system depressant that can cause sensations of relaxation and thrill. Because of its odorless and colorless nature, it is frequently found in liquid form and can be easily included into drinks.
Ketamine: Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic used in medical settings to provide anesthesia and pain relief. It is frequently abused for its hallucinogenic properties, and it can be used to render victims unconscious during sexual assault.
Rohypnol (flunitrazepam): Rohypnol is a sedative-hypnotic medication used to treat severe insomnia and induce anesthesia. It is often misused recreationally and used in sexual assaults due to its amnesia-inducing qualities.
How Does It Work?
First, these drugs slow down the brain, and then the body, when someone takes a drink that has been laced with any of the date rape drugs. These drugs give them a carefree, laid-back vibe. They start to feel as though they’ve had far too much alcohol, a state of intoxication. As a result, they became disoriented, lightheaded, and uncoordinated. Afterwards, they are incapable of standing up straight or thinking rationally.
The unsettling part about date rape drugs is that they cause people to forget what happened when they were under the influence. It’s like having a blackout and waking up with no memory of what happened. Because of the drug’s influence, victims find it much more difficult to report the crime or seek help thereafter.
How Can You Identify a Drugged Drink?
There is no immediate way to identify a drugged drink because the drugs used are usually odorless and colorless. However, you can check for residue of probable date rape drugs in your glass cup or on the top of your glass cup.
For example, you went to the restroom but didn’t have a friend look over your drink, so when you returned, you weren’t sure if it had been tampered with. The best thing to do is add water to your drink. This dilution should be done with water rather than another alcohol or drink, as this can interfere with the possible date rape drug and cause further injury. Diluting your drink with water lowers the concentration of the possible drug.
However, the effectiveness of water dilution varies based on the type of drug used, the dosage, and the rate at which it is consumed. So, if you still want to have a sip of a drink, keep that in mind, or even better, dispose of the drink to be on the safe side.
Summary
Date rape drugs are substances that disable a person, leaving them vulnerable to sexual assault. These drugs are often poured into drinks without the victim’s knowledge. GHB, Ketamine, and Rohypnol are the three most commonly used date rape drugs. They all have various impacts, such as making you feel calm or confused.
However, there is no rapid way to detect a drugged drink because the drugs used are often odorless and colorless. What you can do is look for residue of probable date rape drugs in your glass or on the top of your glass and remain cautious at all times.
