Current Concepts

Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault (‘Date Rape’)

Authors: RICHARD H. SCHWARTZ, MD, REGINA MILTEER, MD, MARC A. LeBEAU, MS

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.

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References