Who’s watching your drink?                          

What are predatory drugs?

Predatory drugs -also known as Date Rape drugs- are drugs which "sedate" or slow down the central nervous system. GHB, Ketamine, and Rohypnol are all part of this class. These drugs are commonly dropped into people’s drinks and once they have been ingested they render the victims unable to fight back against attackers. Common symptoms include feelings of drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion. Victims may even black out.

More often than not, victims are not even aware that their drinks have been tainted. Many of these drugs -such as GHB- are invisible and odorless when dissolved in beverages but sometimes yield a salty taste to the drink they’re added to. Because memory impairment is common and the drugs are metabolized quickly, it is often difficult to find any physical evidence after a drugging has taken place.

It is important to remember that when taken in large amounts, even alcohol can have the same effect as a date rape drug, and cause sedation, unconsciousness and memory loss.

The best way to avoid becoming a date rape victim is to keep your eye on your drink at all times and never accept drinks from people you don’t know.

Definitions

GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid)
  
 
 Common names: Liquid Ecstasy, Liquid X, Easy Lay
 Medicinal use: used as a general anesthetic
 Appearance: white powder, odorless; clear when dissolved in
                         liquid, slightly salty
Consequences of GHB use: Takes effect in 10-20 minutes; effects last for up to 4 hours and include feelings of inhibition, muscle relaxation, nausea, downiness, unconsciousness and memory loss

Ketamine
Common names: Special “K”
Medicinal use: used as an anesthetic for both animals and humans
Appearance: clear liquid or white powder, odorless, tasteless
Consequences of Ketamine use: Ketamine takes effect in 5-20 minutes;   effects last for 4-8 hours and include memory loss, temporary paralysis, hallucinations and an out of body -dissociative- experience (K-Hole) and nausea

Rohypnol
Common names: Roofies
Medicinal use: short term treatment of insomnia
Appearance: pill form, odorless, tasteless
Consequences of Rohypnol use: Rohypnol takes effect in 10 minutes; effects last for up to 8 hours and include slurred speech,   amnesia, confusion and deep sedation

NOTE: when taken in large quantity, all of these drugs have the potential to be lethal

Need Help?
If you think your drink has been spiked or if you suspect that you may have been the victim of date rape, you can contact:

Ambulance                                 911
RCMP Canmore                          403-678-5516
RCMP Banff                                403-762-2226
RCMP Lake Louise                      403-552-3811
AADAC (addictions counseling)   403- 678-3133                          
Bow Valley Victim services         403-760-0197