Citation

Schwartz RH, Milteer R, LeBeau MA. South. Med. J. 2000; 93(6): 558-561.

Affiliation

Department of Pediatrics, Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children, Falls Church, VA, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Southern Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10881768

Abstract

In the past few years, drug-facilitated sexual assaults have received widespread media coverage. In addition to alcohol, the most frequently used date-rape drug, flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), a fast-acting benzodiazepine, and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its congeners are among the most popular drugs used for this purpose. The latter drug is easily procured at some gymnasiums, popular bars, discos, and rave clubs, as well as over the Internet. Perpetrators choose these drugs because they act rapidly, produce disinhibition and relaxation of voluntary muscles, and cause the victim to have lasting anterograde amnesia for events that occur under the influence of the drug. Alcoholic beverages potentiate the drug effects. We review several date-rape drugs, provide information on laboratory testing for them, and offer guidelines for preventing drug-facilitated sexual assault.

Language: en