Strategies for handling suspected knockout situations
In recent times, there has been a growing concern about the use of date rape drugs, substances that are often mixed in drinks without the knowledge of the victim. These drugs can have severe consequences, with victims experiencing symptoms such as sudden dizziness, confusion, extreme drowsiness, slurred speech, and memory gaps.
Tina Elsner, head of the Police Crime Prevention of the Federal and State Governments, has emphasised the importance of understanding the dangers of mixed consumption, particularly when there is suspicion. The exact effect of these drugs also depends on the substance mixed, the dosage, and the physical condition of the victim.
Common symptoms of exposure to date rape drugs, including Rohypnol, GHB, and Ketamine, include sudden dizziness, confusion, extreme drowsiness, slurred speech, slowed reflexes, muscle weakness, loss of coordination, memory gaps or inability to recall events, nausea, headaches, tremors, feeling hungover or confused for hours, muscle relaxation, trouble breathing, or upset stomach without a clear cause.
If you suspect you have been drugged, immediate action is crucial. Here are the steps to take:
- Seek medical attention immediately. Time is critical because these drugs metabolize quickly, and testing (urine, blood, or hair) must be done within hours to preserve evidence. Urine tests are most effective within 12–72 hours, blood testing within 12–24 hours, and hair testing can detect drugs up to 90 days later but requires waiting about 30 days post-exposure.
- Do not leave the place or clean yourself excessively, if possible, to preserve physical evidence.
- Contact authorities or a trusted support organisation such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline to report the incident and get emotional and legal support.
- Avoid consuming any more food or drink and do not drive or engage in risky activities until medically cleared.
- Tell someone you trust what you suspect and ask for help or accompaniment to a medical facility.
Early recognition of symptoms and rapid action to get medical and forensic help can protect your health and strengthen any legal case related to drug-facilitated assault.
In such situations, it is advisable to stay in a public place and approach a security guard or security personnel. It's also safer not to drink any more of the suspicious drink. A combination of date rape drugs with alcohol or other drugs is particularly dangerous.
If you suspect date rape drug ingestion, seek help quickly (e.g., paramedics, doctor, hospital emergency room). Various criminal offenses may have been committed, such as dangerous bodily harm, deprivation of liberty, rape, violations of the Narcotics or Medicines Act. In extreme cases, the mixed consumption of date rape drugs and other substances can lead to suffocation due to respiratory failure.
Lastly, it is essential to stay near friends or trusted people, and don't go home immediately. If you suspect someone else has been drugged, encourage them to seek help and contact the police to file a report to protect others from this danger. Secure evidence by keeping the suspicious drink. Don't panic, stay calm, and try to think clearly. The mixed consumption of date rape drugs and other substances increases the risk of health damage.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, understanding the symptoms of date rape drugs such as Rohypnol, GHB, and Ketamine can potentially save lives, as they include sudden dizziness, confusion, extreme drowsiness, slurred speech, amongst others.
- General news outlets often report on the crime-and-justice implications of drug-facilitated assault, which may include dangerous bodily harm, deprivation of liberty, rape, and violations of the Narcotics or Medicines Act.
- Mental-health professionals might be called upon to support victims of date rape drug assault, as the aftermath can cause trauma, anxiety, and a need for coping strategies in the face of such a harrowing experience.
