Rohypnol(roofies, 'date-rape' drug)Rohypnol is a prescription-only sedative that has beenused in many 'date rapes' inthe US, with cases now beingreported in Europe andAustralia.
Rohypnol's medical use is as a
pre-operation anaesthetic or
strong sleeping pill, but stronger
doses can bring on amnesia. It
takes effect very quickly -
sometimes as quick as 10
minutes after being taken - and
reaches its peak eight hours
later when it can render a
person totally unconscious. It's
about ten times stronger than
Valium.
Coming in the form of a tasteless
and odourless pill which is easily
ground down into powder,
rohypnol has gained notoriety as
the 'date rape' drug, after
victims have been incapacitated
and sexually assaulted after
having their drinks spiked. All
traces of the drug disappear
after 24 hours making
prosecution difficult. Please note
that rohypnol is not the only
drug associated with date rape
and there have been cases
linked to GHB and other sedative
drugs.
Rohypnol has also been used in
combination with other drugs to
enhance the effects of low
grade heroin, to mellow the buzz
from crack and heroin, and to
soften comedowns.
The drug has also acquired a
reputation as a party drug,
sometimes dubbed the 'love
drug'. This is due to its claimed
aphrodisiac qualities and because
some users say that it gets you
more drunk and keeps you that
way longer.
It is fairly rare in the UK
(although rising), but in the US it
has a street price of around
$2-4 per tablet.
Side effects: The most
worrying side effect of rohypnol
is that it can easily be
administered without the victims
knowledge and lengthy sexual
assaults can take place with the
victim having no memory of
events afterwards. In many
cases, victims are even unaware
that assaults have taken place
until their symptoms are
recognised or their memory
returns. It's a very nasty drug.
Be very wary of accepting
opened drinks from
strangers or people you
don't trust, even if they are
only soft drinks. If you feel
odd, nauseous or drunk after
only a couple of drinks, leave
immediately and go to a place of
safety. If you are alone or with a
stranger, call friends to tell them
where you are and/or go to the
landlord or manager and explain
your situation. See: drug assisted
sexual assault - advice on
prevention .
Health risks: Used on its own,
Rohypnol is unlikely to be fatal,
but when combined with other
drugs such as alcohol and
cannabis the risk increases
greatly - as the drug suppresses
the central nervous and
respiratory systems, there's a
chance that you could stop
breathing. Other side effects
include hallucinations, vertigo,
skin rashes, stomach problems
and changes in libido.
Detection periods: Rohypnol
passes out of the system in 24
hours.
pre-operation anaesthetic or
strong sleeping pill, but stronger
doses can bring on amnesia. It
takes effect very quickly -
sometimes as quick as 10
minutes after being taken - and
reaches its peak eight hours
later when it can render a
person totally unconscious. It's
about ten times stronger than
Valium.
Coming in the form of a tasteless
and odourless pill which is easily
ground down into powder,
rohypnol has gained notoriety as
the 'date rape' drug, after
victims have been incapacitated
and sexually assaulted after
having their drinks spiked. All
traces of the drug disappear
after 24 hours making
prosecution difficult. Please note
that rohypnol is not the only
drug associated with date rape
and there have been cases
linked to GHB and other sedative
drugs.
Rohypnol has also been used in
combination with other drugs to
enhance the effects of low
grade heroin, to mellow the buzz
from crack and heroin, and to
soften comedowns.
The drug has also acquired a
reputation as a party drug,
sometimes dubbed the 'love
drug'. This is due to its claimed
aphrodisiac qualities and because
some users say that it gets you
more drunk and keeps you that
way longer.
It is fairly rare in the UK
(although rising), but in the US it
has a street price of around
$2-4 per tablet.
Side effects: The most
worrying side effect of rohypnol
is that it can easily be
administered without the victims
knowledge and lengthy sexual
assaults can take place with the
victim having no memory of
events afterwards. In many
cases, victims are even unaware
that assaults have taken place
until their symptoms are
recognised or their memory
returns. It's a very nasty drug.
Be very wary of accepting
opened drinks from
strangers or people you
don't trust, even if they are
only soft drinks. If you feel
odd, nauseous or drunk after
only a couple of drinks, leave
immediately and go to a place of
safety. If you are alone or with a
stranger, call friends to tell them
where you are and/or go to the
landlord or manager and explain
your situation. See: drug assisted
sexual assault - advice on
prevention .
Health risks: Used on its own,
Rohypnol is unlikely to be fatal,
but when combined with other
drugs such as alcohol and
cannabis the risk increases
greatly - as the drug suppresses
the central nervous and
respiratory systems, there's a
chance that you could stop
breathing. Other side effects
include hallucinations, vertigo,
skin rashes, stomach problems
and changes in libido.
Detection periods: Rohypnol
passes out of the system in 24
hours.
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