Dape Rape Drugs

I’ve heard the term ‘date rape’ drugs or ‘Ruffies.’ What are they?

“Ruffies”, a nickname for the drug Rohypnol, has been widely publicized as the drug used for sexual assault. The truth is that many different drugs can be added to a drink, causing incapacitation, memory loss, or altered judgment. The MOST common drug used for sexual assault continues to be alcohol.

Symptoms that might indicate being drugged include (each drug has different symptoms:

• Sudden nausea, vomiting, dizziness or incapacitation in reaction to a drink (especially when only a moderate amount of alcohol or no alcohol was consumed)
• loss of memory (especially when only a moderate amount of alcohol or no alcohol was consumed)
• altered state of mind or unusual behavior (e.g. suddenly aggressive, unusually flirtatious, or acting outside of normal behavior)

If you think that you or a friend may have been drugged, seek medical attention immediately.  A toxicology screening can test for drugs in your system soon after being ingested. Toxicology screenings can be done for free along with a “rape kit.”

Safety Tips

It’s never your fault if someone slips a drug into your drink. However, knowing some ways to reduce your risk can keep you safer:

• Open your drink yourself, or watch it being opened.
• Never leave your drink unattended — no matter where you are.
• Don’t accept previously opened drinks, or sips of drinks, from others.
• Go to a bar or party with a friend or group of friends and make sure that you all leave together.
• If you start feeling strange or sick, tell a friend right away.
• If you drink alcohol, drink a small to moderate amount.

If you see a friend acting strangely or seeming “out of it” check in with them right away and offer help. Do not let them leave with someone else.