Date rape drugs include a number of substances that can have many different effects on the body.

They are used by sexual predators to paralyze their victims from resisting them.They impair judgement, cause loss of inhibition, dizziness, confusion and brief periods of memory loss.

Often date rape drugs are slipped into unattended drinks.

If a person seems to be really drunk after drinking a non-alcoholic drink, or only a small amount of alcohol, they may have unknowingly taken one of these substances. However, it is important to note that alcohol is the oldest and most frequently used "date rape drug" around.

Common names of rape drugs are Rohypnol, Liquid Ecstasy, Liquid X, Easy Lay, Special K, Roofies, Roachies, La Rocha, Forget Pill, Pastaa, Peanuts, Whiteys, Ropes, Pappas, Ro-Shays, and Robinal.

Know How to Protect Yourself!

• Never leave beverages unattended at parties or bars.
  
• Don't take beverages, including alcohol, from anyone unless you have watched them pour the drink.
  
• Be alert to the behaviour of your friends and ask them to watch out for you. Anyone exhibiting the symptoms described above could be at risk.

What to Do if You Think You have Been a Victim:

• If you think you have been drugged, you should go directly to a hospital emergency room with a friend, family member, or the police. If they do not have a sexual assault care centre, call Thunder Bay Sexual Assault/Sexual Abuse Counselling and Crisis Centre hotline for support (344-4502, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
  
• Consider reporting the incident to the police. If you are going to report it, call the police before you go to the hospital so that medical evidence can be collected. Try not to destroy any evidence - the police will give you instructions.
  
• Try to keep a sample of the beverage for analysis.