Rohypnol
Commonly known as date rape drug.
Rohypnol is an expensive drug intended for use in treating sleep disorders, such as insomnia.
What is it?
• The effects are similar to valium, but ten times stronger. Rohypnol is sold on prescription in bubble packs of 1 or 2 mg doses (usually in the form of white tablets with the word ROCHE written across). This drug has been slipped into drinks to cause a sedative effect, thus earning a reputation as "the date rape drug".
• Due to it's cheap street price, rohypnol abuse has become increasingly widespread amongst teens, college students and club goers. Because rohypnol dissolves quickly in drinks and produces no odour or taste, and often leads to blackouts when mixed with alcohol, it has become known as the date rape drug. Despite the manufacturer’s attempt to counter this problem by adding blue dye and making it slower to dissolve, there are plenty of rohypnol tablets that contain no such warning ingredients.
Effects
• Rohypnol takes effect within 20 to 30 minutes of administration and lasts up to eight hours. It acts as a sedative by inducing amnesia, relaxing the muscles, and slowing down psychomotor responses.
• Tolerance is likely with repeated use, which means you need more to get the same effect.
• If combined with heroin, it can enhance the high. If combined with cocaine, rohypnol can mellow out the kick. If combined with alcohol, rohypnol can increase the feeling of drunkenness and lower inhibitions.
The risks
• Continued abuse of rohynol can lead to physical dependency. Kicking a habit at this stage can be very difficult. Withdrawal symptoms may include headaches, muscle pain, confusion, hallucinations and even convulsions. Seizures may occur up to a week after users have quit.
• Experts advise controlling withdrawal under medical supervision if you're abusing rohynol or other benzodiazepine. Consult your doctor before trying to kick the habit.
Precautions
• Always be aware of the danger that, wherever you are, someone may try to spike your drink.
• Never ever leave a drink unattended. If you go to the loo take your drink with you. If for whatever reason you have left it unattended do not drink it.
• If a stranger offers you a drink do not accept it. Even if your friend offers a drink make sure you see it either poured or opened and ensure that no one touches it except the barperson prior to drinking it.
• If a group of you go out together help to make yourself safe by selecting a person who will not be drinking to keep an eye on the group's drinks.
• Remember these drugs are tasteless, odourless and although one has a blue dye added to it, this blue dye does not show up for almost 20 minutes. Also it does not show up in red wine, in Cola or any other dark drinks. It cannot be seen in a coloured bottle. (i.e. in a bottle of Beck's, Budweiser or wine bottle).
• Wherever possible, try to drink out of a bottle or can. It is more difficult to spike a bottle or can than it is to drop a drug into a drink in an open glass.
• Just because you are safe not drinking alcohol does not make you safe. There have been cases of tea, coffee, milk and coke being spiked.
How to tell if you've been spiked
• Everyone is aware of his/her own personal tolerance to alcohol. If you feel odd, nauseated, slightly drunk or wasted after only a couple of drinks, and you know that you cannot be drunk, there is more than a chance that your drink has been spiked. If so, go immediately to a place of safety.
• If you are with a friend tell them of your worries, get them to get you out of the place as soon as possible and to get you home either in their car or by taxi. Once safely home ask them to stay with you until the effects of the drug have worn off the following morning.
• However make sure you trust the person or friend you are asking. Many victims have been raped by the people they know, in some cases friends or acquaintances, and in many cases the date they went on that night.
• If you are alone or with a stranger, go to the manager and tell them. It is important to get to a place of safety as soon as possible, then you can ring for a taxi or a friend or parents to get you home safely.
• Under no circumstances let a stranger offer to help you or take you anywhere - they could be a rapist. It is alarming how many victims have been taken back to their own home by their attacker and raped in their own beds.
Back to information on Benzodiazepines.
Content thanks to YouthHealthNE authors.
See the help section for supportive information and contacts details of support organisations.
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