K.O. Drops

Dangers of "K.O. Drops" abuse It is no coincidence that the use of socalled K.O. Drops is forbidden on pain of punishment in Germany. The number of people who have become victims of a crime, whilst being under the influence of such substances, is continually on the rise. In particular it is women who are afflicted by this, since ingestion without consent (the substance is often added to a beverage) renders them defenseless and vulnerable to rape. That is how the substances in question acquired their notorious name Date Rape Drug.

However there is also an increased usage of K.O. Drops in crimes such as robbery.

Especially the tourist areas of South East Asia, but also East- and Central Europe have witnessed the application of these techniques. Providing evidence for such abuse is difficult because the substance in question (gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid, GHB), also used to make the party drug Liquid Exstasy, decomposes in the body within 12 hours. The effect of the drug begins gradually, some 20 to 30 minutes after ingestion. The victim however rarely notices the narcotic effect and therefore seldomnly seeks help. The consequences can be devastating. Especially in the cases of wrong dosage or illegally manufactured gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid victims are liable to suffer respiratory paralysis and death. Another possible effect is prolonged unconsciousness over a number of days.

Quite often, the victims will recall nothing of what has happened.

It is the frequent loss of memory and the rapid decomposition of the drug which makes makes it so difficult to prove that a crime has been committed. The drug is actually available via prescription as a sedative or sleep-inducing medication. But due to its increased use as a K.O. drug, the major manufacturer has taken measures to make unwanted ingestion more difficult. As a result of this, the substance now alters the colour of drinks when added, has a bitter taste and quickly becomes lumpy in order to alarm the potential victim on time.