Straight Talk For Teens By Teens

Date rape drugs leave victims unable to remember

Dear Straight Talk: I went to a party recently with a friend and this hot guy was flirting with me and we started making out. I had had a couple of drinks but not any more than usual, not enough to black out or anything. At a certain point everything kind of went blank and I don’t remember anything until I woke up at my friend’s house feeling really gross. I don’t even remember her driving us home. My friend thinks they put ecstasy in my drink. Now I’m wondering if I had sex with that guy and don’t remember it. Has this ever happened?—Memory Loss

Dear Memory: More times than I care to think about. Date rape drugs are becoming more common and victims are unable to refuse sex and have no memory of what took place. If this happened to you, it is considered a “drug-facilitated sexual assault”. For your safety, get checked by a doctor immediately. If there are signs of sexual assault, report it to the police. In my opinion, this so-called “hot guy” is a prime suspect and I would take notes on his looks and try to get his name for the police. If he’s innocent, he has nothing to worry about.

The teen staff has more to say. Information on date rape drugs is available at the website below.

From Farren, 18: If you left your cup unattended and you were already slightly inebriated, it is very likely you were drugged. And if you were drugged, it is likely you were raped or sexually assaulted in some way. As for questioning ecstasy, I don’t think that was the drug you were given. Ecstasy causes a euphoric high and is usually associated with an emotionally relaxed and physically exhilarated state.

You should check in at a women’s health clinic to get an exam and get tested for STDs. It could be that you just passed out and nothing happened, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

The next time you go to a party pour your own drinks and keep your drink with you at all times, covering it with your hand. If you set it down, don’t pick it back up and drink it. Just pour yourself a new drink. Also, stay with your friends! It is important to have a buddy system. Keep a cell phone for emergencies, and make sure someone knows where you are in case something happens.

From Geoff, 20: It’s very possible you were raped. It would be best to make an appointment with a local health center to make sure you don’t have STDs or a pregnancy.

From what I’ve seen with my less-than-intelligent college friends, your experience is not a side-effect of extasy. You were probably slipped one of three common date rape drugs, GHB, rohypnol, or ketamine, which have short-term amnesia effects. For more information visit http://www.4woman.gov/faq/rohypnol.htm.