The term "date rape" drugs can be misleading. The person who becomes a victim of these drugs do not necessarily need to be in a dating relationship; they may have met someone at a club or party, that offers to get them a beverage. These drugs can also be used on acquaintances or strangers not only for the purpose of sexual assault, but also for other crimes like physical assault and robbery. These drugs are also known as "club drugs" because they tend to be used at dance clubs, concerts and "raves." The most well known drugs in this category are GHB, Rohypnol, and Ketamine. These drugs are very powerful and can affect you very quickly and without your knowing. The length of time varies, depending on how much of the drug is taken and if the drugs are mixed with alcohol. Mixing these drugs with alcohol can make them stronger and cause serious health problems and death.

GHB:

GHB takes effect in about 15 minutes and can last 3 to 4 hours. It is very strong drug and a very small amount can be effective. GHB is manufactured, usually in home labs, so you do not know what is in it or how it is going to affect you. It can cause drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, problems seeing, loss of consciousness, loss of memory, sweats and tremors, to mention only a few. It comes in forms of liquid with no oder or color, white powder or pill. It is usually slipped into a person drink, unknowingly. It has a salty taste, but can be masked in a sweet drink or fruit juice. Cherry Meth, G, Gamma 10, G-juice, Liquid ecstasy, PM are only a few names used on the street.

There are no GHB detection tests for use in emergency rooms, and as many clinicians are unfamiliar with the drug, many GHB incidents likely go undetected. According to case reports, however, patients who abuse GHB appear to present both a mixed picture of severe problems upon admission and good response to treatment, which often involves residential services.

Rohypnol:

This drug comes in the form of a pill that dissolves in liquid. Some pills are small, round and white. However, there is a newer version of this drug that is oval and green-gray in color. When slipped into a drink the dye from the pill will turn liquids a bright blue or cloudy in darker drinks. The effects Rohypnol can be felt within 30 minutes of being drugged and can last for several hours. You may appear as being "drunk"; you may have a problem with standing; your speech might be slurred; or, you may pass out. Rohypnol causes muscle relaxation or loss of muscle control, difficultly with motor movements, problems talking, nausea, loss of memory, loss of consciousness low blood pressure and stomach problems and like any drugs, can cause death. Street names are roofies, roopies, rope, rib, R-2, Whiteys, and Roach-2 to mention only a few.

Ketamine:

This is a very fast acting drug. You may be aware of what is happening to you, but are unable to move. It's effects can last for several hours. It comes in the form of liquid and/or a white pill. Ketamine is used primarily by veterinary clinics as an anesthetic for animals. It can cause distorted perception of sight and sound, lost sense of time and identity, out of body experiences, feeling out of control, impaired motor function, problems breathing, aggressive or violent behavior, memory loss, vomiting, convulsions, depression, slurred speech, high blood pressure and death.

The victim of these drugs may not realize they have been drugged until 8 or 12 hours afterward. These drugs also leave the body very quickly so if the victim gets help there may be no sign of the drugs in the victims system.