Drug rape is one of the fastest-growing crimes. Not only females are at risk, as 12% of calls to The Roofie Foundation are from males. The drugs, of which the best known is rohypnol, are tasteless and odorless, are absorbed quickly by the body, and cleansed from the body sometimes before memory of the rape has returned. The following advice is provided by The Roofie Foundation:

Prevention

Always be aware of the danger that, wherever you are, someone may try to spike your drink. Therefore the Roofie Foundation offers the following advice:

Never ever leave a drink unattended. If you go to the loo take your drink with you. If for whatever reason you have left it unattended do not drink it.

If a stranger offers you a drink do not accept it. Even if workmates or acquaintances offer you a drink make sure you see it either poured or opened and ensure that no one touches it except the barperson prior to drinking it.

If a group of you go out together help to make yourself safe by nominating a person who will not be drinking (ie the designated driver), to keep an eye on the group's drinks.

Remember these drugs are tasteless, odourless, and although one (Rohypnol) has a blue dye added to it, this blue dye does not show up for almost 20 minutes. Also it does not show up in red wine, in cola or any other dark drinks. It cannot be seen in a colored bottle (ie in a bottle of Beck's, Budweiser, or wine bottles).

Wherever possible try to drink out of a bottle or can. It is much more difficult to spike a bottle or can than it is a to drop a drug into a drink in an open glass.

Just because you're not drinking alcohol doesn't make you safe. We have reports of victims being spiked in tea, coffee, milk, milk shakes, and cola.

How to tell if you've been spiked

Everyone is aware of his or her own, personal tolerance to alcohol. If you feel odd, nauseous, slightly drunk, or wasted after only a couple of drinks, and you know that you cannot be drunk, there is more than a chance that your drink has been spiked. If so, go immediately to a place of safety.

If you are with a friend tell them of your worries; get them to get you out of the place as soon as possible and to get you home either in their car or by cab. Once safely home ask them to stay with you until the effects of the drug have worn off the following morning.

However be very sure that you implicitly trust the person or friend you are asking. Many of our victims have been raped by people they know, in some cases workmates and colleagues, in some cases friends of friends or acquaintances, and in many cases the date that they went out with that night.

If you are alone or with a stranger go to the landlord or manager and tell them. It is important to get to a place of safety as soon as possible, get the landlord to put you in his or her private accommodation or an office whilst they ring a taxi or a friend, or your parents to get you home safely. If possible always make sure that you are accompanied by a trusted friend.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES LET A STRANGER OFFER TO HELP YOU OR TAKE YOU ANYWHERE - THEY COULD BE THE RAPIST. It is alarming how many victims have been taken back to their own home by their attacker and raped in their own beds. If you think you've been raped Sounds odd doesn't it, but remember these drugs take away your memory. If you wake up in a strange place or even if you wake up in your own bed and your underwear is scattered around the room, if you have any physical evidence on your body, if you have sore genital areas, or bruising, you've probably been raped.

If you fear you have been raped whilst under the influence of drugs, taken willingly or not - report it! Go straight to the police and insist that they take a urine and blood sample, it could prove to be vital forensic evidence. Make sure you are accompanied by a friend or even better a solicitor. Also make sure you visit your doctor or a clinic. Never forget the risk of Aids.

The police are keen to point out that anyone reporting being raped whilst under the effect of drugs will NOT be prosecuted for drug taking and will be treated as a normal rape victim.

It is important to get across that, in some cases, the traces of the drug in the body disappear before the memory of the event comes back. Many different times have been given for the drug passing through the body. Some say 5-8 hours, others 8-12 hours. Evidence in Britain seems to point to that fact that forensic traces of these rape drugs can only be picked up within 48 hours. However American forensic tests can pick up traces of the drug after 72 hours, but their police seem to be using different tests, they are also better equipped and are much more aware of the problem,

If by any chance you do not want to go to the police and report the crime then go immediately to your doctor and tell them what has occurred - ask them to check you over and do any tests.

Also visit this website for safe date information