Hi, thanks for the question. This answer will focus primarily on
Rohypnol, also known as "roofies", the most common rape drug. GHB, and
other date rape drugs have very similar effects.
Rohypnol, generically known as flunitrazepam, is produced for
prescription as a sleeping aid in countries outside of the United
States.
"It has physiological effects similar to Valium (diazepam), but is
approximately ten times more potent. It is used also as an illicit
drug, often in combination with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine,
and alcohol."
from: 4woman.gov
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/rohypnol.htm
The effects of Rohypnol, similar to all "date rape drugs", are
"impaired judgment and impaired motor skills". While the individual
under the influence of the drug remains awake and somewhat conscious,
they are often unable to properly make decisions or weigh
consequences. Therefore, the individual is much more likely to be
swayed by others and act on impulse without reason. The combination of
impaired judgement, disinhibition (lack of social inhibition)and the
impaired motor skills (similar to the injestion of large amounts of
alchohol), makes the taker vulnerable of sexual attack.
The pill is often combined with alcohol which multiplies the above
effects. This dangerous combination makes one more prone to blackouts,
resulting in memory loss and severely impaired judgement. Thus, sexual
attackers use the drug to break down the resistance of their victims
and may also hope that the memory loss which often occurs will limit
the chance of their being identified later.
"About ten minutes after ingesting the drug, the woman may feel dizzy
and disoriented, simultaneously too hot and too cold, or nauseated.
She may experience difficulty speaking and moving, and then pass out.
Such victims have no memories of what happened while under the drug's
influence."
from: 4woman.gov
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/rohypnol.htm
To address your question specifically, one may indeed lose
consciousness while under influence of the drug, but even if one does
not, one is vulnerable to attack. Date rape drugs effect parts of the
brain that regulate social behavior and allow one to weigh
consequences. After injesting the drug, one may be fully conscious but
are unable to resist sexual advances and/or attacks.
Please let me know if you would like me to explain or add to this
response. Thanks again,
Anthony
Related Links
National Institute of Drug Abuse: "Rohypnol and GHB"
http://165.112.78.61/Infofax/RohypnolGHB.html
R.A.D. Systems: Date Rape Drug Info
http://www.rad-systems.com/Resources/daterapedruginfo.html
4woman.gov
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/rohypnol.htm
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Phone: (888) NIH-NIDA Internet Address:
http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDAHome1.html
Boston University: Rohypnol Fact Sheet
http://www.bu.edu/police/prevention/rohypnol_fact_sheet.htm
American Council for Drug Education
Phone: (800) 488-3784 Internet Address:
http://www.acde.org/
American Society of Addiction Medicine
Phone: (301) 656-3920 Internet Address:
http://www.asam.org/
Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse
Phone: (401) 444-1817 Internet Address:
http://www.amersa.org/
Google Search Terms Used
"date rape drug"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22date+rape+drug%22
Rohypnol effects
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