Whitewater police find date rape drug, issue warning

Caution urged when accepting drinks

WHITEWATER, Wis. — The Whitewater Police Department is issuing a warning after arresting a person suspected of possessing a drug known as a date rape drug.

Police said the person was arrested on suspicion of several drug-related charges, including possession of GHB. The drug is known as a date rape drug because it can be mixed with many things, including water, and has no taste.

The drug was approved in 2002 for treatment of a rare form of narcolepsy, but police said most of the production is done illegally.

Police ask people to be cautious when accepting drinks from others and leaving drinks unattended while in social settings.

Side effects include headaches, hallucinations, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, agitation, diarrhea, sexual arousal, numbing of legs, vision problems, tightness of chest, mental changes, combativeness, memory loss, serious breathing and heart problems, seizures, coma, and death.

Anyone who sees the symptoms or notices a friend is acting very unusually while in a social setting is asked to call for medical assistance immediately and contact police.