When Drugs / Alcohol are used for Rape

You're at a party, a club, or a social event. You're with people you know, people you think you have no reason to fear. Someone secretly drops a drug like roofies or ecstasy in your drink. When the drug dissolves, it is colorless and odorless. It may also be tasteless.

As you consume the drink, the drug takes effect. You may experience drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, lack of coordination, slurred speech, loss of inhibition, impaired judgment and reduced levels of consciousness.

You are incapacitated. You cannot escape, resist or even call out for help. You are sexually assaulted. After the rape, you may not remember what happened or who participated because the drug often causes amnesia.

These drugs are especially dangerous. When combined with alcohol or other drugs, the mixture can be fatal.


	If you feel a lot more intoxicated than your usual response to the amount of alcohol you consumed..... If you wake up very hung over, feeling "fuzzy," experiencing memory lapse, and can't account for a period of time..... If you remember taking a drink but cannot recall what happened for a period of time after you consumed the drink..... If you think someone had sex with you but you can't remember any or all of the incident.....


	Don't drink beverages that you did not open yourself. Don't share or exchange drinks with anyone. Don't take a drink from a punch bowl. Don't drink from a container that is being passed around. If possible, bring your own drinks to parties. If someone offers you a drink from the bar at a club or a party, accompany the person to the bar to order your drink, watch the drink being poured and carry the drink yourself. Don't leave your drink unattended while talking, dancing, using the restroom or making a phone call. If you leave your drink unattended, discard it. Don't drink anything that has an unusual taste or appearance (e.g., salty taste, excessive foam, unexplained residue). Do not mix drugs and alcohol.


	Get help immediately.
	Get to a safe place.
	Ask a trusted friend to stay with you and assist you in getting the help you need.
	Call 911.
	Get medical care.
	Preserve as much physical evidence as possible. Do not urinate, shower, bath, douche or throw away the clothing you were wearing during the incident. If possible, save any other materials that might provide evidence, such as the glass that held your drink.
	Go to a hospital emergency department as soon as possible for an examination and evidence collection.
	Request that the hospital take a urine sample for drug toxicology testing to be done by your law enforcement agencies crime lab. A special test must be conducted to detect any date rape drug in the urine specimen. The first urine after the assault needs to be saved in a clean container. Preferably the urine should be collected at the hospital. The likelihood of detecting drugs used to commit the assault lessens each time you urinate.
	Call your local rape crisis center or the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE) for information and support.

Date rape drugs include Rohypnol (roofies, ruffies, R-2, roaches), which is 7-10 times stronger than Valium; GHB (liquid ecstasy, scoop), which typically takes effect 5-15 minutes after ingestion; and Ketamine (special K, keets, super acid), commonly used as a party drug.

They can cause intense sleepiness, unconsciousness, memory loss, nausea, seizures and death.

Simple possession of these drugs is punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a fine. Administering these drugs to another person without their knowledge and with the intent to commit a violent crime (including rape) is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine.


	When large quantities are consumed, alcohol can have a tremendous sedating effect, leaving anyone vulnerable to assault. Here are some tips that may help reduce your risk of sexual assault in social situations where alcohol is served:
	Limit alcohol consumption so you are better able to assess your surroundings, especially if you are in a group setting or with someone you do not know well or trust. Don't mix different types of alcoholic beverages. Eat substantive food before consuming alcohol. When drinking alcohol in social settings, make arrangements with a friend to leave together.
	75% of all date rapes involve alcohol or drugs.
	Most importantly, remember that whether you follow these tips or not, if someone sexually assaults you, it's not your fault. You are never to blame for someone else's actions.
	In West Virginia, someone who is drunk or drugged cannot give consent to sex. If someone has sex with you while you are in such an incapacitated condition, it is sexual assault.

National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE