Crime Victim Center of Erie County

Our mission:
Reducing the impact of crime through counseling, education and advocacy.

If you have been a victim, know a victim or have witnessed a crime–we can help.
All services are free and confidential. Call us at 1 (800) 352-7273.

What are Date Rape Drugs?

Date rape drugs earned their name because of their amnesia-like effects. They can be used in any type of drink. They are clear, odorless and tasteless. They are commonly used in alcohol because the alcohol increases their effectiveness. Victims of drug-facilitated sexual assault cannot protect themselves from HIV or other STDs.

Reducing The Risk

Never leave your drink unattended and never accept an open drink from anyone. Always watch your drink being poured and bring your own drink, if possible. Take advantage of the buddy system by going out with someone you trust and checking in with that person several times. Trust your intuition and if something feels wrong, check it out or leave the situation.

Common Date Rape Drugs

  • Rohypnol (Roofies, Roach, the Forget-Me-Pill, R2, La Roche, Mind Eraser)
    • Ten times stronger than Valium
    • Comes in a pill form, then crumbled into a powder form
    • Effects set in after 10 to 30 minutes
    • Causes nausea, blackouts, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, low blood pressure, slurred speech, drunk feeling and 8 to 12 hours of memory loss
    • Victims wake up with a fuzzy hung-over feeling that lasts for 2 to 3 days
    • Newer pills have a blue or green dye
    • May be tested up to 72 hours after ingestion
  • GHB-Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (G, Liquid Ecstasy, Georgia Home Boy, Blue Monster, Grievous Bodily Harm, Scoop, GH Buddy)
    • Naturally occurring in the human body
    • First sold in the United Stated as a growth hormone stimulator
    • Homemade with degreaser, floor stripper or weight belt cleaner
    • Clear liquid, may be microwaved into powder, often carried in bubble bottles and mouthwash bottles
    • Breaks down naturally in the body into carbon doxide and water
    • Effects set in within 15 to 30 minutes and last for 3 to 6 hours
    • Causes loss of inhibitions, vomiting, out-of-body experience, depressed respiration, no gag reflex, tremors, little or no sense of touch, deep coma or death
    • Victims wake up clear-headed and alert
    • Can be detected in the body for up to 12 hours
  • Ketamine (Special K, K, Ketajet, Ketaset, Vitamin K)
    • Used in veterinary clinics as an anesthetic for cats
    • Liquid, sometimes microwaved into a powder
    • Effects take place within 5 to 20 minutes
    • Causes out-of-body experiences, numbness, hallucinations, memory loss, vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure, unconsciousness and no sense of pain
    • Effects last for 2 to 8 hours
  • Ecstasy (E, the Love Drug, Smurf, X, the Hug Drug, XTC)
    • No amnesia effect, instead it lowers inhibitions
    • Pill crushed into powder causes dilated pupils, high body temperature, dehydration, high blood pressure and enhanced senses
    • Effects last 1 to 8 hours
    • A person who is under the influence may be willing to do something he or she normally would not do