Sexual assault

The reality of the date rape drug

By Mardie Caldwell

Could you become a Victim of the date rape drug?

Each month, more than ten women of all ages and backgrounds contact our Adoption Center with the same experience—they have been victims of a date rape drug and are now pregnant. Most of the time, these women do not know who the biological father is.

Rohypnol is becoming the drug of choice for would-be rapists. Most predators target unsuspecting victims by slipping these illicit drugs into beverages at parties, bars, nightclubs, and dances. Rape drugs have the power to make one drink feel like six or more.

Laura, a sophomore from Florida, was one such woman who called our center. Laura attended a private party off campus. She thinks that she was probably dancing when the perpetrator laced her beer. She only had one drink and started feeling sick, then her memory became foggy.

“I started feeling drowsy, really dizzy, and confused about where I was. I went to the party alone, which was my first mistake.”

Laura has no memory of what happened for the next eight hours. She woke up half-naked in a back room of the club with bruises on her thighs. She suspected that someone may have had sex with her, but couldn’t remember any details. She was hung over for days afterward.

Laura blocked the whole incident from her mind and allowed a numbness to take over. Her grades fell, and she found her mind wandering in class. Six weeks later, she discovered that she was pregnant. Laura dropped out of college to have the baby and chose to have him adopted by a childless couple through our adoption center.

“I needed to do something positive, and it wasn’t the child’s fault,” Laura said.

According to the US Department of Justice, date rape is one of the fastest-growing drug-facilitated sexual assault crimes in America today. A recent large study found that one in four college women reported being the victim of rape or attempted rape, and 84% of their assailants were boyfriends or acquaintances. Most victims remember nothing of the incident except the feeling of being violated. The same study found that one in four college men admitted to having used sexual aggression with women, and one in twelve admitted committing a sexual assault of some kind.

GHB, one of the most popular date rape drugs, is sometimes added to punch or other open container drinks at fraternity parties, college functions, and social gatherings. It is often given to female partygoers in hopes of lowering their inhibitions and facilitating a potential sexual conquest for the assailant.

The victims of this crime who contact our center are of all backgrounds and ages. Many are still in some shock over being pregnant and have little to share about the “father” of their child.

Rohypnol, another common date-rape drug, is not legal in the US. It is produced and sold by prescription in Europe and Latin America, then smuggled into the United States. Rohypnol can often be dissolved in a beverage and is undetectable. In combination with alcohol, it can induce a blackout with memory loss lasting 8 to 24 hours. The drug takes effect after roughly ten minutes. Victims of the drug report feeling dizzy and disoriented, and some become nauseated.

By taking preventive measures to protect yourself and your friends, you can avoid becoming a potential victim.

Here are a few helpful tips for staying aware, alert, and safe.

• Do not accept drinks from anyone you don't know well.
• If you are accepting a drink, make sure it's from an unopened container and that you open it yourself.
• If dancing, don’t leave your drink unattended. If your drink has been left unattended, toss it out.
• Consider buying a specially designed drug testing coaster (see below) to test your drink for the drug. They are low-cost and a smart choice.
• If your drink tastes or looks different than it should, if it tastes "funny", or if it has residue in it, throw it away.
• Don't go to parties alone.
• Assign a designated sober person when going out.
• Be observant to the behaviors and actions of your friends. Trust your instincts.
• Keep a charged cell phone with you in the event you have a problem and need help.

Please, share this information with your friends. Stay safe and vigilant, and remember that you are your own best protector.

If you have been the victim of rape and think that you may be pregnant, Lifetime can help. Call 1-800-923-6784.

Drug testing coaster: a drop of liquid on a cardboard drink coaster can identify two of the most popular date rape drugs. If the spot turns blue, toss that cocktail. Fifteen million of these coasters have already been distributed; look for them at 7-11 stores or visit /www.drinksafetech.com. Coasters run about 50 cents apieace.

Copyright © 2005 Mardie Caldwell, COAP
All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this may be copied or sold without permission.