Knockout Drops
Knockout drops are drugs being used ever more often to secretly pour into drinks or food to make someone unconscious, helpless or unable to act. They work quickly after ingestion making the body numb and defenceless. Memory gaps are the rule. Various active ingredients are contained in knockout drops. A common active ingredient is gamma-hydroxy-butyric acid (GHB) or gamma-butyrolactone (GBL – a precursor of GHB), also known as “Liquid Ecstasy”, “Liquid E" or “Liquid X”. Other active substances are ketamine or prescription sedatives and psycho-pharmaceuticals from the benzodiazepine group.
GHB has been subject to the Narcotics Act (“Betäubungsmittelgesetz”) since 2002. This means that you are liable to prosecution for the possession, purchase, dealing as well as for the supply or administration of GHB. Prescription psychotropic drugs such as benzodiazepines are also subject to this Narcotics Law in Germany.
Administration of knockout drops is considered a dangerous bodily injury under § 224 ff. StGB (Paragraphs 224 et. Seq. of StGB) and can, in the worst case, result in death. Sexual assaults involving the administration of knockout drops are punishable as abuse of persons unable to resist (§ 177 StGB).
How Can You Protect Yourself?
There is no such thing as 100% protection but you can take the following precautions:
- Don’t leave your glass unattended, if in doubt order a fresh drink.
- Arrange with friends to watch each other’s drinks.
- Only drink from glasses you have followed all the way from the bar.
- When you go out with friends make sure to also go home together.
- If you notice a friend has suddenly started behaving out of character becoming totally exhilarated, random and extremely flirtatious, keep your eye on them and don’t leave them alone.
- Be aware that perpetrators can be both strangers and friends.
- Don’t hesitate to leave the club or party if you don’t feel safe there.
- Turn to your friends or the staff if you suddenly feel sick, dizzy or faint at a club, pub or a private party.
- Take a urine sample straight away (in a sealable container) and keep it cool.
- Go straight to hospital and/or to the police.
... and in an emergency
... you must act quickly, get help! Call 112, an emergency doctor must help the person concerned - there is a danger to life!
... check the affected person's breathing and pulse, if necessary place them in the recovery position
... in the event of violence, call the police on 110
... the emergency numbers always work, even if you have no credit left on your mobile phone
... if you are the victim, have bruises or wounds and can't remember, confide in someone immediately! No matter how late it is, call a friend, your family or another trusted person for support
... if you believe that you have been abused or raped, have yourself examined as quickly as possible in hospital, an emergency room or by a doctor you trust, knockout drops can only be detected in blood and urine for 12 hours.
How do knockout drops work?
Knockout drops initially cause a feeling of well-being and relaxation. The effect of knockout drops is unpredictable due to mixed consumption, for example with alcohol. The effect sets in approx. 10 - 20 minutes after administration and can last up to several hours. Those affected are often euphoric at first and feel good. It is often assumed that this is the effect of the alcohol. As knockout drops also have a disinhibiting effect, atypical behaviour may occur, e.g. violent flirting. The person affected can suddenly ‘turn on’, and even friends sometimes notice a sudden change in mood. This is followed by nausea, dizziness and a sudden onset of fatigue. Other side effects include headaches, vomiting, shortness of breath, movement disorders, cramps and paralysis, and/or confusion. Victims are usually unconscious for several hours, ranging from dazed to severely comatose, and can no longer remember anything. Even before the loss of consciousness, the person affected is rendered weak-willed and very easy to manipulate by the effects of the knockout drops. Despite this, they can still talk and move normally for a short time and friends or other outsiders do not realise what is happening.
What can you do if you have a concrete suspicion?
The substances can usually only be detected approx. 12 hours after administration. So if you suspect that you or a friend have been given knockout drops, it is important that you act quickly. Proof can be provided by a blood or urine sample. A urine sample is more suitable as the active substance is broken down much faster in the blood. It is also possible to store a urine sample for a short time (2 - 3 days) in the refrigerator (e.g. in a clean jam jar) and hair analysis is another option. A hair sample can be analysed for substances for about four to six weeks (depending on the length of the hair).
A careful medical examination and diagnosis as well as the securing of evidence is the basis for the detection of such a case. Are you still unsure whether you want to press charges? Anonymous forensics can be an option here. Anonymous forensics is generally available in all cities, usually attached to women's clinics, and helps to secure all evidence of sexualised violence for possible later reporting. You don't need to be afraid, you decide how comprehensively you want to be examined. By anonymising the evidence, you have enough time to decide whether you want to press charges. At the same time, get support and guidance to help you come to terms with what you have experienced. Counselling centres can help you with this. The violence against women helpline is available 365 days a year on 116 016.
Sexualised violence involving knockout drops can also happen to boys* and men*. Initial counselling and help is available from the violence against men helpline on 0800 1239900.