"Date Rape"
Drugs 
What are "date rape"
drugs?
What does Rohypnol look
like?
Who uses Rohypnol and
how?
Why has there been an increase in teen
use of Rohypnol?
What happens if a person takes
Rohypnol?
Is Rohypnol
addictive?
Why is Rohypnol called a "date
rape" drug?
What can I do to avoid becoming a
victim of a date rape drug?
Propective Measurse for
Teens
Resources
Related Issues: Sexual
Abuse, Sleep
Assault
Q. What are "date rape"
drugs?
A. The term "date rape" drug refers to illegal
drugs that are sometimes used to overpower victims and
sexually assault them. Presently, the two most common date
rape drugs are gamma-hydroxybutyrate and flunitrazepam.
Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has been associated with
sexual assault in cities throughout the country. GHB is a
clear liquid or white powder that is often mixed with a
carbonated, alcohol, or health food drink and is reportedly
popular among adolescents and young adults. It generates
feelings of euphoria or intoxication and was once sold in
health food stores as a performance-enhancing supplement for
body builders.
Banned by the FDA since 1990, this drug makes its victim
unable to resist an attack and also causes memory loss.
Police departments have reported its use during spring-break
beach festivals. In Michigan, a 15-year-old girl died after
taking the drug, and several teenagers have been
hospitalized elsewhere in the country. It is also called
"G," "Georgia Home Boy," "liquid ecstasy" (not to be
confused with ecstasy), "somatomax," "scoop," or "grievous
bodily harm."
Flunitrazepam is a powerful sleeping pill that is better
known by its brand name Rohypnol (pronounced row-HIP-nole).
This medicine, approximately 10 times stronger than Valium
(diazepam), is neither approved for medical use, nor made or
sold legally in the United States. However, it is made and
prescribed legally in other countries for the treatment of
insomnia (difficulty sleeping) and is then illegally
smuggled into the United States. It is often used with
alcohol or other drugs such as cocaine or heroine.
Being under the influence of this drug is sometimes
referred to as being "roached out." Other street names for
Rohypnol include: rophies, roofies, R2, roofenol, Roche,
roachies, la rocha, rope, rib, circles, Mexican valium,
roach-2, roopies, and ropies.
It is important that you educate yourself about these
drugs and learn how best to protect yourself. Although the
following paragraphs describe the increasing use of Rohypnol
throughout the United States, both GHB and Rohypnol are
dangerous drugs and using either of them can be
devastating.
Q. What does Rohypnol look like?
A. The tablets are white, although counterfeit
street versions may have a brownish-pink color. The tablets
will have the word "ROCHE" on one side and an encircled "1"
or "2" (depending on the dosage) on the other. For the most
part, the pills have no color, smell or taste once they are
dissolved in alcohol, soft drinks, water or any other
liquid. A few users have reported a slightly bitter taste
when the drug is mixed with alcohol.
Q. Who uses Rohypnol and how?
A. Increasing numbers of teenagers and young
adults use this dangerous drug to create a "dramatic" high,
usually in combination with alcohol.
Q. Why has there been an increase in
teen use of Rohypnol?
A. First, Rohypnol is a low-cost drug, usually
sold at less than $5 per tablet. Second, many young people
wrongly believe it's a relatively harmless drug and that it
is safe to buy because it comes in a pre-sealed,
tamper-proof bubble pack. Third, many people mistakenly
think that the drug cannot be detected with a urine
test.
Q. What happens if a person
takes Rohypnol?
A. Ultimately, this drug can cause a person to do
and say things she would not normally want to. Because it
has no strong taste or odor, victims whose drinks have been
poisoned with Rohypnol don't realize what is happening.
Within 10-30 minutes after taking Rohypnol, a person may
feel dizzy and disoriented. She will become confused and
unable to make clear decisions. She may appear to be drunk,
have blood-shot eyes and slurred speech. A person will feel
too hot and too cold at the same time or feel nauseated.
Ultimately, a person will find it difficult to speak and
move, as she slowly loses coordination and control of her
body before passing out. These effects peak within two
hours, and can last up to eight hours. When combined with
alcohol, marijuana, cocaine or other drugs, Rohypnol is
particularly dangerous because it leaves the victim with no
memory of what has happened. "Blackouts" lasting eight to 24
hours are commonly reported among victims who become
intoxicated on a combination of alcohol and Rohypnol.
Q. Is Rohypnol addictive?
A. Yes. You can become physically dependent on
this drug. Withdrawal symptoms include headache, muscle
pain, confusion, hallucinations and convulsions. Seizures
can occur up to a week after you stop using Rohypnol.
Q. Why is Rohypnol called a
"date rape" drug?
A. Because of its ability to make victims lose
self control and forget what happened during significant
periods of time, Rohypnol has been used by criminals to rape
unsuspecting victims. Girls and women around the country
have reported being raped after Rohypnol was slipped into
their drink by their attacker, causing them to let down
their guard, fall asleep, or even become unconscious.
Because it has no taste or odor, the victims usually don't
realize what is happening. Rohypnol also has been called the
"forget pill," "trip-and-fall," and "mind-eraser."
Q. What can I do to avoid becoming a
victim of a date rape drug?
A. Remember that these drugs are odorless,
colorless and tasteless and can be added to ANY drink —
even water.
- Don't drink alcohol or use other drugs at social
functions. They can affect your judgment and make it
harder for you to stay in control.
- If you do drink, do not accept an open drink from
anyone you don't know well enough to trust
completely.
- At a bar or club, accept drinks only from the
bartender, waiter or waitress.
- If you accept a drink from someone you do not know
well, make sure it comes from an unopened container
(bottle or can) and that you open it yourself.
- Never put your drink down and leave it unattended,
even to go to the restroom.
- Do not drink from punch bowls.
- Tell other females you know about the effects of
these dangerous drugs.
- If you think that you or a friend has been a victim,
notify the authorities immediately.
Date Rape Drugs
Saying no to sex when you want to is a given. But what if
you CAN'T say no? What if, the next day, you don't even
remember being asked, or how you got to where you are, or
who you were with? Worse still, what if you DON'T wake up at
all?
Recently, a number of drugs which have been used for the
purpose of committing rape have come to the attention of sex
educators and health workers, and SIECUS, the Sexuality
Information and Education Council of the United States, has
issued a report today outlining some of those drugs, and a
few helpful tips on what you can do to protect yourself.
Read up on what they have to say, and think about what
measures you can take to take care of yourself and keep from
becoming a victim.
Fact Sheet: Drug
Facilitated Sexual Assault
In recent years, drug-facilitated sexual assault has become
a growing concern among health and community educators. A
number of drugs have become known as "date rape drugs" or
"predatory drugs" because they are used to incapacitate
individuals for the purposes of committing a crime, often
sexual assault.
Alcohol is the drug most commonly associated with sexual
assault, but incidents involving other drugs are on the
rise. These drugs, also called "club drugs" because of their
popularity in dance clubs and bars, can be unknowingly given
to a victim, incapacitate the victim, and prevent him/her
from resisting during a sexual assault or other crime. They
can also produce amnesia causing a victim to be unclear of
what, if any, crime was committed. These drugs are
particularly dangerous when combined with alcohol.
As with any coerced sexual activity, victims of
drug-facilitated sexual assault cannot protect themselves
from HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, or unintended
pregnancy.
This fact sheet to provide information on two of the most
common predatory drugs, as well as suggestions for
preventing drug-facilitated crimes.
GHB
GHB stands for gamma hydroxybutyrate, a central nervous
system sedative often referred to by other names such as
"Grievous Bodily Harm" and "Liquid Ecstasy." GHB was once
sold in health food stores as a performance enhancer for
body builders because it was believed to stimulate the
production of human growth hormone. In 1990, the FDA banned
the use of GHB because of reports of severe, uncontrollable
side effects. GHB can produce drowsiness, dizziness, nausea,
unconsciousness, seizures, severe respiratory depression,
and coma. Overdose of GHB can occur quickly and can be
fatal. Since 1990, there have been 5,700 documented cases of
GHB abuse and more than 30 reported sexual assaults and 65
deaths attributed to this drug. Most of the GHB used today
is a "homemade" mix of various chemical ingredients,
including solvents. Homemade GHB is dangerous in part
because there are significant differences in potency,
purity, and concentration. The same amount taken from two
separate batches can have very different effects. GHB is
available both in liquid and powder forms. It is usually
odorless and tasteless and therefore can be easily slipped
unnoticed into a drink.
Rohypnol
Rohypnol is a brand name for Flunitrazepam, a powerful
sedative that is often referred to by other names such as
"roofies" and "roach." Rohypnol is not legally available for
prescription in the United States but is legal in 60
countries for the treatment of insomnia. Rohypnol may cause
users to feel intoxicated; they may have slurred speech,
impaired judgment, and difficulty walking. The effects are
often felt within 10 minutes and can last up to eight hours.
Rohypnol can cause deep sedation, respiratory distress, and
blackouts that can last up to 24 hours. There is a potential
for overdose or death to occur, especially when mixed with
alcohol or other drugs. Rohypnol is available in small white
tablets that can be taken orally, ground up in a drink, or
snorted. In 1997, the manufacturer of Rohypnol changed the
formula so that it turns blue/green and can be more easily
detected when added to liquids.
Propective Measurse for
Teens
- Drink from tamper-proof bottles and cans and insist
on opening them.
- Insist on pouring or watching while any drink is
mixed or prepared. Do not drink from group drinks such as
punch bowls.
- Keep an eye on your drink or open soda can, do not
trust someone to watch it for you.
- If you think you've been drugged, do not be afraid to
seek medical attention.
- If someone passes out and you suspect predatory
drugs, call for medical attention immediately and explain
your concerns.
(Reprinted with permission from SHOP Talk, published by
the Sexuality Informaiton and Education Council of the
United States, 130 West 42nd Street, Suite 350, New York, NY
10036-7802.)
Don't forget basic safety standards when you're out in
general. If you're going out to a club or party, always
bring a friend that you know you can trust, and keep your
eyes on one another. Don't ever go off alone or become
sexually engaged (and yes, I'm even talking about kissing)
with someone you have just met, and, no matter what age you
are, it is never wise to get incapacitated at places like
parties and clubs with people you do not know, and cannot
trust. As much as it stinks, we cannot trust everyone we
meet, and the safest thing to do is to insist anyone you
meet earn your trust, over a long period of time, and in a
non-sexual sphere.
Source: www.scarleteen.com/crisis/drug_report.html
Resources
www.clubdrugs.org
- This Web site is a service of the National Institute on
Drug Abuse (NIDA). The term "club drugs" refers to those
drugs commonly used by young adults at all night dance
parties, "raves," and bars. They include MDMA (Ecstasy),
GHB, Rohypnol, Ketamine (Special K), Methamphetamine, and
LSD. NIDA-supported research has shown that use of club
drugs can cause serious health problems and, in some cases,
even death. This Web site provides information on each of
these drugs, as well as links to NIDA newsletters,
publications, and other related information on the Web.
www.nsawi.health.org/compass
-The National Substance Abuse Web Index (NSAWI) has been
developed by the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug
Information (NCADI) to assist the substance abuse prevention
and treatment communities in obtaining relevant,
authoritative information available on the World Wide Web.
This index of Web sites includes only those sites that are
considered by NCADI to be the most useful for prevention and
treatment.
You can find out more about Rohypnol by contacting:
American Council for Drug Education, 800.488.3784,
www.acde.org
American Society of Addiction Medicine,
301.656.3920, www.asam.org
Association for Medical Education and Research in
Substance Abuse, 401.444.1817, www.amersa.org
National Institute on Drug Abuse, 888.NIH.NIDA
(644.6432), www.drugabuse.gov/ClubAlert/ClubdrugAlert.html
National Women's Health Information Center,
800.994.9662)
Source: www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/EMIHC276/23414/23416/351515.html?d=dmtContent
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