Date Rape Drugs
Rohypnol "Roofies": What Is It?
Rohypnol (the brand name of Flunitrazepam) is a Benzodiazepine like the tranquilizer Valium®. Rohypnol has been called the "date rape drug" because of its use in sexual assaults. Rohypnol produces profound, prolonged sedation, a feeling of well being and short term memory loss. Sedation occurs 20 to 30 minutes following administration of just 2mg of the drug and lasts from eight to twenty four hours. Since March 1996, United States Customs has made it illegal to bring this foreign-based prescription into the country.
In the United States, Rohypnol is commonly found in its 0.5mg or 1.0mg tablet form or in a 2mg/ml solution that can be injected. It is trafficked to street dealers and college towns throughout the country. It is very cheap (a tablet can be bought for a street value of $1 to $5). It has a very innocent appearance (the small, round, white tablets which are packaged in bubble packets have a clean, pure look) and can easily be mistaken for aspirin. In some forms, it is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. The manufacturer of Rohypnol has developed a new formulation, which dissolves more slowly and releases a bright blue color as it dissolves. In darker beverages the drink appears murky.
GHB: What Is It?
GHB, Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid, is a drug that can have aphrodisiac and intoxicating effects without resulting in a hangover. It is illegal and is sometimes used as a date rape drug. GHB used alone or with other drugs can cause seizures, insomnia, anxiety, nausea, dizziness, loss of peripheral vision, hallucinations, coma, or death.
GHB comes in a lumpy, white powder form or as a clear liquid. It can be snorted, smoked, or mixed in drinks.
GBL: What Is It?
BEWARE of the common fat burner also used as a muscle builder and sleep aid. A drug used for these purposes as well as a natural high is yet another potential date rape drug. GBL, a dietary supplement, has been found to create similar symptoms as GHB. The FDA recently recalled this popular dietary supplement after finding it activates natural opium-like substances within the brain causing sedation. The result can be seizures, vomiting, slow breathing, slow heart rate, and loss of consciousness.
The fact that GBL resembles GHB is noteworthy as we consider the potential dangers of being "slipped" this drug unknowingly. Under the influence of this drug, one could potentially be unaware of being a target of sexual assault.
Date Rape Drugs Effects
Drunk Appearance
Drowsiness
Light-Headedness
Staggering
Confusion
Vertigo
Muscle Relaxation
Visual Disturbances
Impairment of Psychomotor Function
Amnesia that lasts up to 24 hours
Other Potential Date Rape Drugs
Rohibitril (Mexican version of Klonopin)
Very bitter tasting drug
Causes a deep sleep
Usually it's used by choice
Potential for abuse is not high due to the noticeable taste
Ketamine
Approved in the US as an anesthetic used by veterinarians for farm animals
Usually it's used by choice
Potential for abuse is not high due to aromatic nature of compound
Burundanga
A plant source Scopolamine used for motion sickness
Alcohol effect is greatly enhanced when used in combination with alcohol
Safety and Reducing the Risk
Never leave beverages unattended!
Don't accept drinks from someone you don't know well!
At a pub, bar, or nightclub, accept drinks only from the bartender or server!
When drinking, keep an eye on your friends and ask them to watch out for you. If someone seems extremely drunk after having only a small amount of alcohol, a date rape drug may be involved.
HELP! (Actions to take if drugged/assaulted)
- Go to a safe place.
- If you want to report the assault, you should not shower, bathe, douche, change clothes, or clean up the area where the assault occurred. These actions could destroy evidence.
- On campus, call Campus Police at 568-6911.
- Off campus, call local police at 911.
- Go to the University Health Center or RMH emergency room for treatment of injuries, pregnancy and STD testing.
- Call the Office of Sexual Assault Prevention at 568-2831.