Date Rape drugs and how drugs can instantly destroy your teens' life

For parents of teenage girls, the idea of rape is horrifying, and even more frightening, is a rape that is barely remembered, difficult to prosecute and can scar a young girl for life; the date rape. We are not talking about a consensual date; it could be a chance encounter in a bar, at a dance, even in a caf�, that ends in disaster, shame and violation.

The additional tool in the arsenal of this kind of rapist is the date rape drug, either GHB, or Rohypnol, (often known as roofies), a drug that reduces the inhibitions, and conveniently delivers an amnesiac effect, so that the victim remembers little if anything during or afterwards. The drug is slipped into the victims drink and they have no idea they are taking a substance. It is usually, though not always, dropped into girls' drinks.

If you are the parent of teenage boys, it is important that you discuss with them the terrible effects of these drugs, and the awfulness of rape. Some teen boys know that their friends are planning to use these drugs and do nothing to stop them, for fear of negative peer reaction; it is hard to teach a teen to do the right thing when it involves their mates, but it is part of a parents' job to try to teach them moral behavior.

Advice to protect your teen from date rape drugs

• Don't drink anything that you did not see poured or open yourself.


• Do not take drinks from strangers, however attractive!


• Go out in groups of friends and watch each others' drinks, unattended drinks are targets. If you do leave your drink unwatched for any time, chuck it away and get a fresh one.


• If your drink tastes strange, do not drink it; roofies and GHB may have a bitter taste when dissolved in a drink.


• If your drink is an odd color, especially blue, do not drink it!


• Friends should take care of friends and be observant of any strange behavior, such as slurred speech and lack of alertness, not letting them go off with strangers.


• If you think you have been drugged, ask for help IMMEDIATELY, many bars and clubs have a help line, or direct line to the hospital.


• If you feel odd, and are not in a public place, get to one, or get a cab to hospital. You may have only a few minutes of alert behavior.


• If you think a friend has been drugged, do not leave them alone. Seek help immediately.


• If the worst happens and you believe that you have been raped, get to hospital and TELL them you think you have been drugged, they will test you and this may be very important later.

Ecstasy has a lot of "cute" names, and is often colored or with fancy designs, the whole idea being it is a grown up "sweet" for teens and young adults. It is often targeted at young girls having a good time, and may be touted by attractive young men who flatter and flirt, and offer a "free" go the first time. There have been a number of girls who have died the first time they took Ecstasy, find the articles, print them off and give them to your teenage daughter, or direct them to the website set up by the grieving family. Sometimes, as parents, we have to employ shock tactics to keep our children safe.