What Drugs are Used in DFSA?
The most commonly used drug found in sexual assault cases is alcohol. However, other drugs are often used in combination with alcohol to enhance their effects. These are often called “date-rape” drugs and primarily include:
- Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol)
- Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
- Ketamine
What Do They Do?
Alcohol:
Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Due to this property alcohol slows down breathing and heart rate, while impairing alertness and judgment. It can also induce memory loss. As alcohol intake increases, CNS depression is seen more profoundly.
Street Names: Booze, Giggle juice
Rohypnol:
Rohypnol is the trade name of Flunitrazepam. This drug is a Schedule IV CNS depressant belonging to the benzodiazepine class of drugs. It is often used as a tranquillizer due to its sedative-hypnotic effects. It also has anti-anxiety and muscle relaxant effects.
Street Names: Roofies, R2, Rope, Forget-me pill, Roche
GHB:
GHB is also a depressant that causes anesthetic and sedative effects. It is often used as a party drug as it provides feelings of sociability and euphoria. GHB can also lead to amnesia, drowsiness, and impaired movement when given in excess.
Street Names: Liquid ecstasy, Gina, Liquid X, Easy Lay
Ketamine:
Ketamine is a pharmaceutical anesthetic with a short duration of action. Individuals who take Ketamine experience a sense of detachment from their bodies and surroundings. Individuals may be aware of what is going on during the assault but cannot move or fight back. Ketamine is also responsible for causing amnesia.
Street Names: Special K, Vitamin K, and cat Valium
Drugs or alcohol are used in 25% of reported cases to facilitate sexual assault.
What They Have In Common
These drugs all share sedative properties which incapacitate individuals by relaxing muscles, impairing memory and ultimately preventing resistance to sexual assault. These drugs taken in combination with alcohol increase their depressive effects significantly, making overdose and death more likely.
Contributed By: Aida Mansour and Lina Nasir Kadir
References:
Header Reference: https://fee.org/articles/oregon-wants-to-defelonize-all-the-drugs/
Image 1: https://cpb-ca-c1.wpmucdn.com/sites.uoguelph.ca/dist/b/306/files/2021/12/bar.jpeg
Image 2: https://www.nucara.com/resources/blog/what-to-know-about-drug-recalls