GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate): is a

central nervous system depressant once sold

as a food supplement to aid sleep, to relieve
anxiety, and as a growth stimulant for body
builders. The high starts as giddiness but can
lead to a deep sleep accompanied by amnesia.
It is illegal. It is often sold as a clear liquid
(in vials), in a capsule, or grainy white powder
that easily dissolves. A few drops of this colorless, odorless drug can quickly render someone unconscious. It is commonly mixed with
alcohol and can kill. It turns to lye, an
ingredient used in paint stripping. Lye is
caustic and will damage tissues.
EFFECTS: GHB gives a feeling of relaxation,
extreme feelings of intoxication, impaired
judgment and loss of inhibitions, nausea,
motor loss, unconsciousness and memory
impairments. It takes effect 10-15 minutes
after ingestion and lasts 2-3 hours unless
combined with alcohol, where the effect may
last 20-30 hours. Large doses can induce
sudden sleep within 5-10 minutes. GHB is
not easily detected by a hospital toxicology
screen.
STREET NAMES: Liquid X, or ecstasy,
Easy Lay, Scoop, cherry meth, sleep 500.
Canadian Statistics
Violent crimes:
97% of sexual crime is committed by
males
1 in 4 women are sexually assaulted by
the age of 18
In 87% of reported cases, the women
knew their assailants
In 46% of the reports the woman was
sexually assaulted by her spouse
1 in 5 women has been involved in a
sexual attack by a date/boyfriend after
the age of 16.
Only 8% of sexual assaults are reported to
police. Only 1% of date rapes are ever
reported.
(Compiled by 1997 Crime Statistics Report and
1993 Violence Against Women Survey, Statistics Canada)

Encourage friends to arrive,

stay with, and leave with friends
they know and trust in social
settings. If you hear people joking
about date rape drugs,
pay attention.
Often someone planning to use a
drug will joke about it, or seek
reactions from people to test it out.
A belief that silence, passivity, or ambiguous conduct constitutes consent is a mistake in law and provides no defence An accused cannot say that he
thought no means yes.

Saskatoon Sexual Assault

& Information Centre
(SSAIC)

Rape Drugs &

Sexual Assault

Supreme Court Ruling February 25, 1999

Saskatoon Sexual Assault &

Information Centre
MISSION STATEMENT
To promote healing and empowerment to those
who experienced sexual violence
To increase community awareness of sexual
violence and its effects
To change societal attitudes that perpetuate sexual
violence
To strengthen collaboration among individuals and
organizations working towards the elimination of
sexual violence
To promote a community free of sexual violence in
all its forms

SSAIC
201-506-25th Street East
Saskatoon SK, S7K 4A7
24 hr Crisis Line: 244-2224
Office: 244-2294
Fax: 244-6099
ssaic@sasktel.net
www.saskatoonsexualassaultcentre.com

Rape Drugs
We use the term rape drug instead of
date rape drug: our experience is that
most victims are not drugged by a date
and, in fact, they may not even know who
drugged them (i.e.: a stranger, someone
at a bar, at a party, in a restaurant). The
Saskatoon Sexual Assault Centre sees
about 25 people each year who believe
they were drugged, and then sexually
assaulted.
There is little data regarding use of rape
drugs. Many people dont realize what
happened to them due to the toxic effects
and duration of the drug(s). Most people
do not tell anyone due to being too
ashamed, embarrassed or afraid to report
the assault.
Drugging someone with the intent to
commit sexual assault is a serious
criminal offense. Rape drugs are
considered weapons (Oxford Def:
something designed for, or used in,
fighting or struggling), and may have
serious or deadly effects on individuals.
Alcohol mixed with other drugs can be
lethal.

Sexual Assault and

administering a noxious
substance are both
criminal code offenses.
ALCOHOL is the #1 drug involved in
sexual assaults.

A Word
on Consent
Under the Criminal Code of Canada,
Consent is defined as a voluntary
agreement of the complainant to
engage in the sexual activity in
question. (Section 273.1)
The Legal Age of Consent is
16 years of age.
Some might believe that accepting a drink
from someone indicates an interest in
engaging in sexual activity with that person.
This may not be what the person accepting
the offer intends, or how the Criminal Code
of Canada outlines how consent may be
granted.
Consent is deemed not to be obtained if:
It is an abuse of power, trust, or
authority
The person changes his or her mind
The person is unconscious, drunk,
stoned, or sleeping
It is given by someone else
The person does not say yes, says
no, or through other words or
behavior implies no
Do your best to intervene if you see any
suspicious behavior such as:
unusual behavior that isnt consistent
with the amount of alcohol a person
has consumed
anyone putting a substance into
someones drink
Let the host or person in charge
know, and call the police. Get
medical attention for the person
who you think is at risk.

Common Drugs Used

For
Sexual Assault
ROHYPNAL (flunitrazepam): is a
tranquillizer. It is NOT legally prescribed in
Canada. The drug is 7-10 times more
powerful than valium.
EFFECTS: When combined with other
drugs and/or alcohol, it enhances the level
of intoxication. It will result in dizziness,
confusion, a drunk-like state, stomach
upset, blackouts. Rohypnal incapacitates
(temporary paralysis) victims, and prevents
them from resisting sexual assault. When
added to alcohol it can cause amnesia. It
takes effect approximately 10-20 minutes
after ingestion. When added to any liquid it
can last for 2-8 hours; when mixed with
alcohol, the effects can last anywhere from
8-24 hours.
STREET NAMES: roofies, rope, Mexican
Valium, roachies, forget pill, R-2

KETAMINE (Ketamine Hydrochloride): A depressant and anesthetic that

has been approved for both human and
animal use as an anesthetic. About 90% of
Ketamine is sold for veterinary use. It is a
white powder that is generally snorted, but
can also be injected.
EFFECTS: Ketamine produces a short-lived
high. It causes hallucinations, a lost sense
of time and identity, and a dream like state.
High doses can cause delirium, amnesia,
impaired motor functions, high blood
pressure, depression and potentially lethal
respiratory problems.
STREET NAMES: Special K, Super C,
purple, bump.