Rape and Drugs: What You
Need to
Know by Nina Aly Elshiekh
For years, counselors have been dealing with
drug-related
rape, particularly crimes involving alcohol. Although a number of
substances have been used by rapists, two drugs have recently taken
the spotlight: Gamma hydroxybutryate (GHB), a central nervous system
depressant used for treatment of narcolepsy and alcoholism, and Rohypnol
(flunitrazepam), a medication prescribed for severe and debilitating sleep
disorders. Rohypnol is not available in the U.S., but is being sold on the
streets as La Rocha, Roachies, or Roofies.
Rohypnol isn't the only drug used to take advantage of others,
GHB, a
hypnotic drug, is being used like Rohypnol and has similar effects.
GHB
makes people lose inhibitions and, although victims remember what happened
to them and are conscious, they don't want to stop whatever they are
doing. They are awake, but reportedly, have no ability to fight off their
desires. With a sufficient dose, the victim can fall asleep or find
herself in a state of unmovable helplessness. This can be very unpleasant,
because the brain is functioning quite rapidly but the victim has little
control over what she can do physically.
Within 15 to 60 minutes of ingestion of 1/2 to 3 teaspoons of
GHB
dissolved in a drink, the victim may experience one or more of the
following symptoms: vomitting, drowsiness, and/or vertigo, loss of
consciousness, irregular and depressed respiration, uncontrolled
movements, tremors or seizure-like activity, slowed heart beat,
hypotension, and/or respiratory arrest.
The severity and duration of symptoms appear to depend on the
dose of GHB and/or the presence of other substances, such as
alcohol. GHB acts synergetically with alcohol to produce the symptoms
listed above. Recovery from exposure occurs with 2 to 96 hours. Ingestion
of two milligrams of the drug produces a strong sedating
effect which begins within 30 minutes and can last up to 8
hours.
When combined with alcohol, Rohypnol, also known as the "rape
drug," can
cause impaired ability to remember details and in large doses, can be
fatal. If you experience dizziness, confusion, or other sudden and
unexpected symptoms after drinking a beverage, call a family member or
friend, the police, or a doctor.
There are a number of precautions you can take to protect
yourself from becoming a victim. Don't leave your drinks unattended
and don't take drinks from anyone you don't know. At clubs, accept drinks
only from bartenders or your server. Don't accept drinks from open
containers at parties. Be aware of the behavior of your friends. If anyone
appears especially inebriated for the amount of alcohol they have
consumed, get medical attention and try to keep a sample of their beverage
for testing.
If you do become a victim of this or other drugs used for
rape, and you
choose to report the assault, do not shower, bathe, douche, change clothes
or straighten up the area until medical and legal evidence has been
collected. Call the police then seek medical attention at a hospital,
clinic, or from your doctor for any internal or external injuries and
tests for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Also seek sexual
assault support services from your local providers. Request a urine test
for the presence of sedating substances as quickly as possible (the drug
may be found in your urine for up to 72 hours, depending on the dose and
your metabolism).
The maker of the drug has made available a drug testing
service, free of
charge, for cases of sexual assault. The tests are handled by an
independent approved laboratory that follows appropriate chain-of-custody
procedures so that the findings are admissible in court. Be aware that
these tests also screen for the presence of other benzodiazepines (the
family of drugs to which Rohypnol belongs) as well as marijuana, cocaine,
some opiates, and barbituates. Test results are returned to the rape
crisis center that submitted the sample, so the center can maintain strict
confidentiality about the survivor's identity.
There are a number of excellent support services available to
survivors in
the Triangle area. The Orange County Rape Crisis Center offers free
support services to survivors of sexual assault. They can be reached at
919-967-7273. Rape Crisis of Durham also offers 24-hour free and
confidential support to survivors of sexual assault and incest. Call them
at 919-688-2883. Survivors can also call a toll-free rape crisis hotline
at 1-800-656-4673.
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