Date Rape: Do You Know What to Look For?
Young women are still at a high risk of being assaulted while out with friends at parties and get-togethers even though they are aware of the existence of date rape drugs and know that these could be used on them at anytime. Just knowing that these illegal chemicals exist is not enough, women, their friends and their parents need to become knowledgeable about the range of chemicals available to predators, how to protect themselves, symptoms to watch for either in themselves or in friends, and what to do if you suspect that someone has tried to give you or someone you know a date rape drug.
Although Rohypnol (chemical name: Flunitrezepam) is well known and is considered the date rape drug of choice for predators, there is also Ketamine (also known as Special K) and GBH (Gamma Hydroxybutyrate). GBH is a derivative of a neurotransmitter that occurs in the brain but when the body produces too much of this chemical due to a metabolic disorder, developmental delays and seizures can occur. It was originally developed as a weight loss and body building drug until it was banned due to the extreme side effects and became known as a date rape drug.
Women have to be extremely careful as all it takes is for someone to drop one pill into a beverage. The pill dissolves quickly and can’t be tasted. The effects of the drug can be seen in as little as 10 minutes. These drugs are hypnotics, sedatives and other types of medications that cause a person to have lapses in memory, loss of motor control, unconsciousness, loss of inhibitions and slurred speech. The effects are intensified when mixed with alcohol. If you, or someone else, notice these symptoms take action immediately. Never leave your friend by herself and get her out of the dangerous situation and away from possible predators. Take her home and stay with her for 8 hours to observe her and look for any severe side effects. Discuss these options with friends before attending a rave or party so that they know what you do for you and you know who you can trust. Open all beverages yourself and do not leave them unattended for any reason.
It is possible to determine if you were actually given a date rape drug by having specimens tested, including:
- Blood (recent ingestion)
- Urine (up to 5 days after the incident)
- Hair (collected 10 - 14 days after the incident minimum)
- Suspected glass or container in which the alleged drug was placed
ANY LAB TEST NOW® locations offer these tests and provide two panels. The Basic Date Rape Panel can look for the presence of Ketamine, GHB and Rohypnol while the Comprehensive Date Rape Panel tests for the basic date rape drugs plus other hypnotics, sedatives and Over-The-Counter medications known to cause a similar affect. If you suspect or see unusual behavior in someone such as unknowingly losing their memory, inhibitions and consciousness and an unfortunate situation should occur, ANY LAB TEST NOW® can test blood, urine or hair for drugs most commonly used in date rape situations through our basic or comprehensive Date Rape Testing Panels.
Chemically-Assisted Date Rape is a problem that is not going away as rapidly as we would hope. For some tips on protecting yourself in today's increasingly dangerous world, you may be interested in checking out this book: The Gift of Fear.
Article written by ANY LAB TEST NOW®