Columbia University Health Services

“Date rape drugs” are narcotics used to incapacitate someone or get them to the point where forced or non-consensual sexual activity can take place with little resistance. While alcohol remains the primary drug involved in sexual assaults, use of drugs such as Rohypnol (roofies), GHB (liquid E), and Ketamine (special K) are becoming increasingly common and pose a serious threat to personal safety.

Date Rape Drugs

• Are often colorless, tasteless, and odorless, and dissolve quickly in drinks
• Are intensified in effect when mixed with alcohol or other drugs
• Have a quick reaction, often within 15 minutes

Warning Signs

• Feeling more intoxicated than usual for the amount you drank, or feeling “woozy” or “out of it”
• Remembering taking a drink but not being able to remember anything afterwards
• Dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, drunk-like effects, blackouts, amnesia
• Having an impression or feeling of having had sex, but not being able to remember the details

Risk Reduction

While there is no guaranteed protection against sexual assault, the following steps can increase your awareness and safety:

• Go to parties, bars, and clubs in groups, and use the buddy system to watch out for each other’s safety. Have a plan to leave together, or to check in and let each other know where you are going and with whom
• Only accept mixed or open drinks from the bartender or server
• Don’t accept drinks at parties if they are being mixed in large containers
• Always keep your drink with you, and in sight
• Be wary of drinks that are unusually salty, have a strange odor, or have foam or residue on the surface
• If you hear someone “kidding” about date rape drugs, pay attention

If you think you or a friend has been drugged:

• Get to a safe place
• Ask a person you trust to stay with you, or remain by your friend’s side, until help comes
• Seek immediate medical attention and tell the examiner anything you remember
• The presence of drugs can sometimes be detected through urine analysis, but this will only be done at the discretion of the District Attorney’s office if a police report is filed.

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Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Program (SVPRP) provides comprehensive and integrated education, support and advocacy about sexual and relationship violence. The program supports survivors and fosters individual and collective action to end sexual and relationship violence. For more information go to the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Program. 

The Barnard Columbia Rape Crisis/Anti-Violence Support Center provides peer counseling and advocacy services for survivors and co-survivors of sexual and relationship violence. For more information go to the Barnard-Columbia Rape Crisis/Anti-Violence Support Center. 

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