Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Teens: Trends
Trends in Drug Abuse: Date Rape Drugs
Of special concern are the depressants Rohypnol, GHB, and Ketamine. These substances are being used with increasing frequency as “date rape” drugs. When administered secretly (usually to females) these drugs incapacitate victims, thus making them easier to sexually assault. When one considers that Rohypnol is ten times more potent than Valium, is completely tasteless and odorless, and until recently was colorless (it now turns a cloudy blue color when dissolved), the risk to young women engaging in underage drinking is quite evident.
The sedative effects of date rape drugs can affect victims for days after they have been drugged. Worse yet, all date rape drugs interfere with a victim’s ability to recall what happened to her. Consequently, she may not know she was raped and will not seek appropriate medical care following her assault. This not only compromises the victim’s physical and mental health, but also her ability to pursue criminal charges against her rapist.
