 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Page Index
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, "Date Rape", is one of the fastest growing drug-facilitated, sexual assault crimes in America today. In most cases, this is how it happens: Illicit drugs are unobtrusively slipped into beverages of unsuspecting victims at dance parties, bars or nightclubs. These substances are colorless, tasteless and odorless so the victim has absolutely no way of knowing that the drink he or she is about to consume will cause severe impairment and leave him or her defenseless. The victim is then left at the mercy of the perpetrator, led away to somewhere private and ultimately raped.
Fact Sheet: Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault In recent
years, drug-facilitated sexual assault has become a growing concern among
health and community educators. A number of drugs have become known as
"date rape drugs" or "predatory drugs" because they
are used to incapacitate individuals for the purposes of committing a
crime, often sexual assault. These drugs are particularly dangerous when combined with alcohol. As with any coerced sexual activity, victims of drug-facilitated sexual assault cannot protect themselves from HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, or unintended pregnancy. This fact sheet provides information on three of the most common predatory drugs.
GHB stands for gamma hydroxybutyrate, a central nervous system sedative often referred to by other names such as "Grievous Bodily Harm" and "Liquid Ecstasy." GHB was once sold in health food stores as a performance enhancer for body builders because it was believed to stimulate the production of human growth hormone. In 1990, the FDA banned the use of GHB because of reports of severe, uncontrollable side effects. GHB can produce drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, unconsciousness, seizures, severe respiratory depression, and coma. Overdose of GHB can occur quickly and can be fatal. Since 1990, there have been 5,700 documented cases of GHB abuse and more than 30 reported sexual assaults and 65 deaths attributed to this drug. Most of the GHB used today is a "homemade" mix of various chemical ingredients, including solvents. Homemade GHB is dangerous in part because there are significant differences in potency, purity, and concentration. The same amount taken from two separate batches can have very different effects. GHB is available both in liquid and powder forms. It is usually odorless and tasteless and therefore can be easily slipped unnoticed into a drink.
Ketamine is an injectable anesthetic that has been approved for both human and animal use in medical settings since 1970. About 90 percent of the ketamine legally sold today is intended for veterinary use. It's slang or street names are Special K, K, Vitamin K or Cat Valiums. Ketamine gained popularity for abuse in the 1980s, when it was realized that large doses cause reactions similar to those associated with use of phencyclidine (PCP), such as dreamlike states and hallucinations. Ketamine is produced in liquid form or as a white powder that is often snorted or smoked with marijuana or tobacco products. At higher doses, ketamine can cause delirium, amnesia, impaired motor function, high blood pressure, depression, and potentially fatal respiratory problems. Low-dose intoxication from ketamine results in impaired attention, learning ability, and memory. Because it is often colorless, tasteless, and odorless, it can be added to beverages and ingested unknowingly. Emergency room mentions of ketamine rose from 19 in 1994 to 396 in 1999. Recent use has been reported more frequently among white youth in many cities, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Newark, New York City, Phoenix, San Diego, Texas, and Washington, DC.
Rohypnol
is a brand name for Flunitrazepam, a powerful sedative that is often referred
to by other names such as "roofies" and "roach." In
fact, the nick name "roofies" has come to be synonymous with
all 'Date Rape Drugs'. Like it's sister compound Valium, it is a member
of the benzodiazepam class of drugs, but it is estimated to be better
than 10 times more powerful. Rohypnol is not legally available for prescription
in the United States but is legal in 60 countries for the treatment of
insomnia. Rohypnol may cause users to feel intoxicated; they may have
slurred speech, impaired judgment, and difficulty walking. The effects
are often felt within 10 minutes and can last up to eight hours. Rohypnol
can cause deep sedation, respiratory distress, and blackouts that can
last up to 24 hours. There is a potential for overdose or death to occur,
especially when mixed with alcohol or other drugs. Rohypnol is available
in small white tablets that can be taken orally, ground up in a drink,
or snorted.
Sources
To combat
the increasing use of club drugs, NIDA and its partners, American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), Community
Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), The
Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA), Join
Together, and National
Families In Action launched a national research and education initiative,
"Club Drugs: Raves, Risks, and Research" in December 1999. In addition, please explore these highly informative links below.....
|
|||||||||||||||||
copyright Drink Safe Technology 2002
website by seris solutions
