Date Rape Drugs - The Facts

Recreational drug abuse is not a new phenomenon. Nor is the misuse of alcohol or other substances to facilitate a date rape. But the increase in reports of drug misuse warrants renewed attention to combating the problem.

• Date rape drugs are colorless, tasteless, and odorless substances that can be easily slipped into beverages undetected.
  
  
• They are strong relaxants, the effects of which can be felt as soon as 15 minutes after ingestion. 
  
  
• The side effects of date rape drugs can include: blackouts, coma, impaired judgment, memory impairment, dizziness, headaches, confusion and loss of coordination. 
  
  
• Alcohol can intensify these side effects. 
  
  
• Date rape drugs may cause memory loss.
  
  
• Some date rape drugs only remain in the system for as little as 6-8 hours, making immediate testing imperative.  If a survivor believes s/he has been given a date rape drug they should seek medical attention immediately and ask medical personnel to administer a urine test for date rape drugs.