Date rape drug test works to find out if a date rape drug has been used with the victim’s hair or urine sample. Date-rape drugs are substances that are used to make sexual assault easier by making the victim drowsy or unconscious. These can include alcohol and some other medications that can spike the victim's drink without them knowing. These drugs can make a person feel confused about what’s happening, face difficulty in defending themselves, or not be able to remember what happened. Date rape test strips can be carried out by an attacker you may have just met, or someone you have known your entire life.
Effects of date-rape drug
GHB
GHB is a drug that can make you feel sleepy, forgetful, or weak. Moreover, an overdose can lead to a slow heartbeat, breathing problems, seizures, and even coma. Its effects typically start in 15-30 minutes and can last for 3 to 6 hours.
Rohypnol
Rohypnol has a calming and relaxing effect on your body. However, high doses of Rohypnol can cause trouble with controlling muscles, loss of inhibition, amnesia, and loss of consciousness. Its effects typically start within 30 minutes and can reach maximum intensity after 2 hours of consumption. Thus, even 1 milligram of Rohypnol can significantly impact your body for 8 to 12 hours.
Ketamine
The consumption of Ketamine can cause a person to hallucinate or feel woozy. It can also lead to an upset stomach, high blood pressure, vomiting, changes in heart rate, seizures, or coma. Ketamine usually shows its effects within 30 minutes and can last for an hour or two. However, the symptoms may stay for a day or more.
Alcohol
Alcohol is well-known to make you feel relaxed, chatty, and confident. It typically enters your brain within a few minutes of consumption. Drinking more than usual can cause your emotions to become unstable while making you lose control over your body. Additionally, extensive drinking can even lead to coma.
Working of a date rape drug testing
Date rape drug testing is considered a simple and effective solution to find out if a date rape drug has been used. You can carry it out easily with the victim’s hair or urine sample. For a date rape drug test, a urine sample should be collected within 48 hours of the incident. This is because, after 48 hours, the traces of date rape drugs may disappear from urine. A hair specimen can be used even after 48 hours, however, as it can carry drug traces for up to 90 days.