Predators often use drugs to incapacitate victims of sexual assault.
Editor’s note: The following is the second of four columns submitted by the Sexual Assault Crisis Center in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Drug-facilitated rape has been of increasing concern in recent years. In communities such as ours, many find it hard to believe that these drugs exist. From our experience, though, these drugs are in our community and our young people are being targeted.

“Drug-facilitated rape can be defined as sexual assault made easier by the offender’s use of an ‘anesthesia’ type drug that can render the victim physically incapacitated or helpless and unable to give consent to sexual activity. Whether the victim is unwittingly administered the drug or willingly ingests it for recreational use is irrelevant. The person is victimized because of an inability to consciously consent to sexual acts,” according to the Office of National Drug Control.

It is important to note that alcohol is the substance most commonly used to facilitate rape. However, this column will focus on “date rape drugs” – Rohypnol, Gamma Hydroxybuterate (GHB), and Ketamine.

These drugs are usually slipped into a person’s drink or into a punchbowl from which people are drinking. Date rape drugs dissolve quickly, do not have a smell, and generally do not have a taste or a color. These characteristics make them particularly dangerous and nearly invisible to their victims.

Some of the side effects of these drugs are drowsiness, nausea and vomiting. Both Rohypnol and GHB can cause an amnesia effect, rendering the victim unable to remember what happened while they were under the influence of the drug (generally a period of up to eight hours). Ketamine can cause an “out of body experience” which leaves the person, although still conscious, physically unable to move or respond.

Once ingested, these drugs take effect quickly and metabolize out of the body in a short amount of time (less than 24 hours). When mixed with alcohol or other drugs, these drugs can be fatal.

In addition to the serious physical effects of the drugs, Rohypnol, GHB and Ketamine are dangerous because of their ability to potentially render a victim without control of mind or body. This impact is why predators use date rape drugs. Sexual assault is about exerting power and control over another. With the use of these drugs, predators greatly increase the chance that their victims will be unable to resist or possibly even remember the crime.

It is important to educate young people about date rape drugs and teach them how to reduce their risk of having these drugs used against them. We must encourage people to be aware of their surroundings. If they are at a place where people are using alcohol or drugs, they must use extreme caution. Some additional tips are:

Don’t:

• Drink beverages you did not open.

• Share drinks with anyone.

• Drink from a community punchbowl.

• Leave a drink unattended.

• Drink anything with an unusual taste or appearance, or an unexplained residue.

• Mix drugs and alcohol.

Always:

• Tend to your drink. If you leave your drink unattended -get rid of it.

• Designate a person who will remain sober.

• Plan to check in with friends.

• Intervene if you see or hear of someone drugging a drink or a punchbowl.

• Warn friends about situations including parties or “raves” where drugging is known to happen.

If you are (or suspect you are) a victim of drug facilitated rape, get to a safe place. Call the police, and/or go to the hospital for an exam. They can test for the presence of the drugs if the test is done soon enough after the assault.

To aid in the investigation, preserve as much physical evidence as possible, like the container you were drinking from and the clothes you were wearing at the time of the assault. Call the Sexual Assault Crisis Center for assistance and support.

To further educate young people about the dangers of drug facilitated rape, SACC will promote a SMARTIES campaign in local high schools during prom season. In addition to a brochure about the dangers of date rape drugs, SACC will be distributing Smarties candies with an attached tag which reads: “This prom season, be a SMARTIE.

S – Sip only from drinks you open.

M – Make sure you don’t set your drink down.

A – Avoid drugs and alcohol.

R – Refuse drinks from a punchbowl or someone you don’t know.

T – Trust your instincts.

I – Inform your friends about the dangers of date rape drugs.

E – Everyone needs friends – check on each other.

S – Safely enjoy your prom! “

Marty McIntyre is executive director of the Sexual Assault Crisis Center. The SACC 24-hour hotline is 1-800-871-7741. For more information about date rape drugs or SMARTIES, call the SACC office at 784-5272.

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