Is alcohol a date rape drug?
While GHB, rohypnol, and
ketamine are considered "date rape
drugs," there are other drugs that affect judgment and
behavior, and can put a person at risk for unwanted or risky sexual
activity. Alcohol is one of those drugs. When a
person is drinking alcohol:
*It's harder to think clearly and evaluate a potentially
dangerous situation.
*It's harder to resist sexual or physical
assault.
*Drinking too much alcohol can also cause black-outs and
memory loss.
*But remember: even if a victim of sexual assault drank
alcohol, she is NOT at *fault for being assaulted.
How can I protect myself from being a
victim?
*Don't accept drinks from other people.
*Open containers yourself.
*Keep your drink with you at all times, even when you go to the
bathroom.
*Don't share drinks.
*Don't drink from punch bowls or other large, common, open
containers. They *may already have drugs in them.
*Don't drink anything that tastes or smells strange. Sometimes, GHB
tastes salty.
*Have a non-drinking friend with you to make sure nothing
happens.
*If you think that you have been drugged and raped:
*Go to the police station or hospital right away.
*Get a urine (pee) test as soon as possible. The drugs leave your
system quickly. Rohypnol stays in the body for several hours, and
can be detected in the urine up to 72 hours after taking it. GHB
leaves the body in 12 hours.
*Don't urinate before getting help.
*Don't douche, bathe, or change clothes before getting help. These
things may give evidence of the rape.
