Inside UNB
Resource Information
The following information and links are provided as a resource guide . It is intended to provide useful links and other information regarding sexual assault.
Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Center
Voices Against Sexual Aggression
Legal and illicit drugs are often used in the commission of sexual assault. Alcohol has a huge impact as it affects a persons cognitive abilities and is often used to mask an illicit drug such as Rohypnol.
GHB Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid - is another name for the generic drug sodium oxybate.Sold as a liquid or white powder which can be dissolved into a liquid. It is clear and colorless and is slightly salty in taste.GHB occurs naturally in the central nervous system in very small amounts.
After consumption effects take 15 to 30 minutes and can last 3 to 6 hours. In low doses it can cause nausea. In high doses it can result in unconsciousness, slowed heart rate, greatly slowed breathing, lower body temperature, vomiting, coma and death.
Rohypnol - is a trade name for flunitrazepam and is a central nervous system depressant. It is legal outside of the US and Canada and is prescribed to treat insomnia. Street names are: Circles, Forget Pill, La Rocha, Lunch Money Drug, Roofies, Wolfies, and Roach among others. Prior to 1997 Rohypnol was manufactured as a white tablet and when mixed in drinks was colorless, tasteless and odorless. The manufacturer is now producing it as a oblong green pill with a speckled blue core that, when dissolved in light colored drinks, turns the liquid blue. Generic versions of the drug may not contain the dye.
It causes muscle relaxation, adverse effects include slurred speech, loss of motor coordination, weakness, headache and respiratory depression.
Ecstasy or MDMA - acts as both a stimulant and a psychedelic producing an energizing effect, distortions in time and perception, and enhanced enjoyment of tactile experiences. Many Ecstasy tablets contain other ingredients such as methamphetamine, ketamine, cocaine and other drugs. MDMA is mainly distributed in tablet form often with logo's creating brand names for users to seek out. It may also be distributed in capsules, powder and liquid forms. MDMA mainly affects the brain cells that use the chemical Serotonin. Serotonin helps regulate mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep and sensitivity to pain.
Onset is 30 to 45 minuets after consumption with effects usually lasting 4 to 6 hours but they may occur or last weeks after ingestion. In high doses MDMA cab interfere with the body's ability to regulate temperature leading to liver, kidney and cardiovascular system failure, and death.
Ketamine- is a dissociative anesthetic with some hallucinogenic effects. It distorts perception of sight and sound and makes the user feel disconnected and not in control. It may also cause amnesia while under it's effects.Street names include Cat Tranquilizer, Cat Valium, Special K, among others.Ketamine is manufactured commercially as a powder or a liquid. Liquid forms may be evaporated down with the resulting crystals being ground into powder.
It can effect heart rate and blood pressure which will initially increase than decrease after 10 to 20 minutes. It can make the user unresponsive to stimuli. It is a legal substance which is mostly used in veterinary clinics
All above information is from the US Drug Enforcement Agency. Visit their website for further information.
