WHAT IS ROHYPNOL OR "THE DATE RAPE DRUG"? Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) is a sedative 10 times more potent than valium. It is manufactured by Hoffmann-LaRoche Pharmaceuticals, as a sleeping pill. It is illegal in the U.S. but is sold legal in Mexico, South America, Europe, and Asia. Sold illegally in this country, for about $1 a pill, it is used to induce an intoxicated or "drunk" state.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF ROHYPNOL?
Rohypnol, when ingested, causes an intoxicated state, much like the effect of alcohol. It impairs judgment and motor skills, and decreases inhibitions. There is also normally a period of memory loss associated with the intoxication lasting from 8-24 hours depending on the dose.
WHY SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?
Rohypnol dissolves instantly in alcohol, water, soda, or any other liquid. It is tasteless, odorless, and colorless. The drug is often slipped into the drink of an unsuspecting person to render them helpless. It takes only 1 mg to produce the desired effects, making it even more impossible to detect. Recently, it has been showing up on more college campuses nationwide and is repsonsible for a number of date rapes.
OTHER NAMES FOR ROHYPNOL.
Rohypnol is known by several other, more common names: the date rape drug, Ruffies, rophies, Roche, LaRoche, Roachies, Rope, Rib, R2.
HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF?
- don't accept an open drink from someone you don't know or trust.
- never leave a drink unattended
- at parties, do not drink from a public beverage container, such as a punch bowl
- remember: Rohypnol does not need to be put in alcohol to be effective, any liquid will do.
WHAT DO I DO IF THIS HAPPENS TO ME? It is important to make sure that you are safe. Find a place where you are comfortable, and contact the rape crises center for support and assistance. If you think you were given Rohypnol, or any other date rape drug, you can be tested for it at the hospital. Time is improtant for the test's accuracy however. The sooner you are tested, the more conclusive the results. The test will be effective for up to 72 hours but the ideal window is up to 48 hours.
OTHER DRUGS WITH SIMILAR EFFECTS
- GHB (gammahydroxybutyrate)
- Ketamine (special K)
- Halcion
- Burundanga: a relatively new drug in this country; produces a trace state
ASSISTANCE NUMBERS:
- Emergency 911
- MainGeneral Medical Center emergency room 872-1000
- Rape Crises Assistance 1(800)525-4441
- Dean's Office X-4250
- Security X-5530 - Security Emergency X-5911
- Colby Health Center X-4460
If you believe that you have been assaulted you must come to the Health Center, a hospital , a rape crisis center or the police as soon as possible. There are toxicology tests to identify drugs that have been ingested. If there is a possibility that Rohypnol was ingested, depending on the time, a urine sample can be sent to a NIDA approved center to be tested.
