date+rape+drug

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 Date Rape Drug **Description ** Sexual intercourse is widely accepted and understood to be an interaction involving consenting adults.  According to Webster�s dictionary, to consent is � to give assent or permission� in any given situation. (1) This notion of consent is vital in terms of determining what is to be considered legitimate sexual intercourse. When consent is absent regarding any sexual encounter, it is then termed a sexual assault. Unfortunately, situations of sexual assault do occur quite often. While the circumstances surrounding occurrences of rape vary from case to case, there is a noticeable and frequently employed tactic existent in numerous instances. Habitually, sexual offenders will employ the use of �date rape drugs� to facilitate such deprave behavior. A date rape drug is one administered surreptitiously, often times in a drink, to induce an unconscious or sedated state in a potential date rape victim. Both the frequency with which these drugs are administered and the accessibility with which they may be attained is quite astonishing. Popular date rape drugs are unapproved for sale in the United States by the food and drug administration and are therefore accessible only through illegal means. Yet, government disapproval of these drugs does little in means of preventing the trade of date rape drugs though. These drugs may be purchased much like other common street drugs, in very short periods of time. The ease with which predators may obtain such dangerous material is quite unsettling. **How Does Work ? **   So, what exactly are these drugs? Well, among the most popular are Rohypnol, gamma hydroxybutyric acid, and Ketamine. Rohypnol �is a brand name for flunitrazepam (a benzodiazepine), a very potent tranquilizer similar in nature to valium (diazepam), but many times stronger. The drug produces a sedative effect, amnesia, muscle relaxation, and a slowing of psychomotor responses. Sedation occurs 20-30 minutes after administration and lasts for several hours�(1). Similarly, GBH is a central nervous system depressant. It tends therefore to increase sociability and function as something of a transient antidepressant. (1) Finally, Ketamine is a nonbarbiturate anesthetic related to [|phencyclidine] , administered intravenously or intramuscularly to produce dissociative anesthesia.(1) The common denominators among these drugs are that they are remarkably undetectable in their use and that they are effective in hindering a victim�s functionality.

**Why is it Used ** One highly disconcerting attribute of common date rape drugs is their ability to be easily concealed. These drugs are small, odorless, and usually tasteless making them almost completely undetectable by their victims. This greatly reduces a potential date rape victim�s ability to protect themselves. Furthermore, the frequency with which these drugs are used to facilitate sexual assault may be nearly impossible to estimate. This is, for one, due to a high number of speculated non-reported rapes and secondly, due to a difficulty in detection of these drugs. Many times samples are taken from a victim at a time when the effects of the drug have already passed and only residual amounts remain in the body.. These residual quantities are challenging, and many times impossible to distinguish using standard screening evaluations available in the United States. In order to detect the drug rohypnol, it is necessary that a urine sample be collected within 72 hours of exposure to be tested. To add to the scientific obstruction in date rape drug detection, the drugs also cause victims to be uncertain of the specific events of the encounter. With that, it is extremely important that date rape victims who suspect that they had been subjected to any of these drugs should immediately seek medical testing. **Bring It All Together  ** . Concerning cases of sexual assault involving the administering of rohypnol and other similar date rape drugs, another disturbing aspect is the effects these drugs impart upon their victim. Rohypnol (Flunitrazepam) is proven to produce  [|anterograde amnesia]   when administered  in ample doses. Individuals under the influence of rohypnol find themselves unable to remember certain happenings that they experienced. Victims may be unable to clearly recall the assault, the assailant, or the events surrounding the assault. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Additionally, an interesting and often times unconsidered date rape drug is alcohol. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">It has been shown that alcohol alone is the psychotropic substance used in the vast majority of cases of drug-facilitated date-rape. � Alcohol can result in many of the same effects as other rape drugs, including dizziness, confusion, lowered inhibitions, impaired judgment, nausea, impaired motor <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">functioning, and if enough is consumed, unconsciousness and amnesia.� (1) The main difference between alcohol and other �date rape drugs� is that alcohol is consumed at a much higher rate than any other rape drug and is typically in a voluntary manner. Although the circumstances in which alcohol is consumed is different than in cases of other date rape drugs, the substance still facilitates date rape and is responsible for such occurrences significantly more often than any other drug. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">While it is extraordinarily troubling to think that individuals exist who intend to abuse these drugs in order to abuse others, there are a few circulating suggestions to help society be more aware of the dangers of date rape drugs and to help individual�s be able to more greatly protect themselves in possible date rape drug encounters. According to Robert Crooks, author of __Our Sexuality__ it is important that one never �accept a drink from someone other than a trusted friend� to never leave a drink unattended.� (Crooks, 2011) He further suggests that if an individual experiences �nausea, dizziness, slurred speech, movement impairment, or euphoria� after ingesting a beverage it is possible that a date rape drug was administered and that medical attention be sought by calling 911. (Crooks, 2011) Also, the Illinois Department of Public Health suggests that it is important and wise to � <span style="color: #4d4437; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Attend parties or visit bars with a group of friends� and to ensure that everyone look out for one another. (Department of Public Health, 2011)

= Bibliography = Bond, Comminication 368 Crooks, R. (2011). //Our Sexuality.// Cengage Learning. Department of Public Health. (2011). //Facts About Date-Rape Drugs.// Ontario, D. (2002).** Rohypnol - A **** "Date Rape" **** Drug **