ROPHYPNOL, the "date rape" drug has become well-known.

Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) -- more casually known as the "date rape" drug --
has become well-known. Though the drug has medicinal purposes, its powerful
effects have scarily been used to incapacitate women during sexual assault namely, rape. It is used as a short-term treatment for insomnia, a sedative hypnotic and a pre-anesthetic.

What Happens When Someone Takes Rohypnol?

Rohypnol has physiological effects similar to Valium (diazepam), but is approximately ten times more potent.
Intoxication is generally associated with impaired judgment and motor skills.
The drug has no taste or odor, so those given it don't realize what is happening. About ten minutes after ingesting the drug, a woman may feel dizzy and disoriented, simultaneously too hot and too cold, and/or nauseated.

She may experience difficulty speaking and moving, and then pass out. Effects
peak within two hours, and can persist for up to eight hours. Such victims
have no memories of what happened while under the drug's influence. The combination of alcohol and Rohypnol is particularly hazardous; together,
their effects on memory and judgment are greater than those experienced
when taking one alone. It is commonly reported that people who become
intoxicated on a combination of alcohol and Rohypnol have "blackouts" lasting
8 to 24 hours following ingestion. Losing social inhibitions is another widely
reported effect of Rohypnol, when taken alone or in combination with alcohol.

What Does the "Date Rape" Drug Look Like?

Rohypnol tablets are white with a score on one side and the word "ROCHE,"
paired with an encircled one or two (depending on the dosage), on the other.
They are sold in pre-sealed bubble packs. Rohypnol can be dissolved in a drink
and is undetectable, which makes is a big part of what makes it appealing to
criminals looking to drug unsuspecting victims.

What Are the Side Effects?

Adverse effects of Rohypnol use include decreased blood pressure, memory
impairment, drowsiness, visual disturbances, dizziness, confusion,
gastrointestinal disturbances and urinary retention.

Who Uses Rohypnol and How?

Rohypnol use has been reported on every inhabited continent. It is often used
in conjunction with other drugs and is usually ingested orally, though it can be
snorted. It is largely used by adults, although teen use of Rohypnol is increasing. The most common use among teenagers and young adults is as an alcohol extender -- an attempt to create a dramatic "high," most often in combination with beer -- or as a drug to incapacitate a victim before a sexual assault.

The drug's low cost (sold for less than $5 per tablet on the black market) makes it
more accessible. But the rise in usage in this age group can also be tied to
common misconceptions about the drug, erroneous belief that the drug's pre-
sealed packaging means that their supply could not have been adulterated,
and a misbelief that the drug cannot be detected by a urine test.
Protecting Yourself From the "Date Rape" Drug

Rohypnol is not the only drug used in cases of violence against women. GHB
(gamma-hydroxybutrate) has also been associated with sexual assault in cites
throughout the country. Common names include, "liquid ecstasy,"
"somatomax," "scoop," or "grievous bodily harm."

To protect yourself from becoming a victim, be aware and stay alert:
If you think that you have been a victim, notify the authorities immediately.
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