There are two main ways that drug-facilitated sexual assault occurs: 1) when the perpetrator takes advantage of a someone’s voluntary use of drugs or alcohol and, 2) when the perpetrator intentionally forces a victim to consume drugs or alcohol with or without their knowledge. (1)

Crime of Opportunity

Typically, a date rapist won’t spend time with his victim before slipping a drug into a drink. Instead, he watches the victim to monitor drinking habits, intending to later portray him or her as having over-imbibed. A fraction of a second is all he needs to drop some liquid or powder into a drink while you’re busy talking, dancing, or visiting the restroom. After the drug takes effect, he makes his move. (2)

Date rape drugs are any type of drug used to make rape or sexual assault easier. Alcohol is often used this way. Drugs or alcohol can make a person confused about what is happening, less able to defend themselves against unwanted sexual contact, or unable to remember what happened.  If you’ve been assaulted,
it is never your fault. (3)  These drugs can affect you very quickly and cause victims to become weak, confused, and even pass out. You may not remember what happened while you were drugged. Date rape drugs can also cause seizures and even death. (4)

People who use date rape drugs or alcohol to commit sexual assault most often use alcohol alone or in combination with other drugs. Someone could use any type of drug, including marijuana, cocaine, or prescription or over-the-counter drugs like antidepressants, tranquilizers, or sleeping aids to overpower a victim or make them not remember an assault.  Other date rape drugs include flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), and Ketamine.  These drugs are sometimes called “club drugs” because they are often used at dance clubs, concerts, bars, or parties. Most drugs, including club drugs, have nicknames that change over time or are different in different areas of the country. (5)