Rohypnol
Drug Classification: Rohypnol is a brand name for
flunitrazepam (a benzodiazepine), a very potent tranquilizer similar in nature
to valium (diazepam), but many times stronger.
Slang
Terms: “The Date Rape Drug”, rophies, ropies, ruffies, roofies, la rocha,
roofenol, roche, R2, Mexican valium, rib, and rope.
What
It Looks Like & How It's Taken: Rohypnol is usually taken orally in a
pill form, but it has also been reported that users can snort the drug. It has
no taste or odor. People may unknowingly be given the drug which, when mixed
with alcohol, can incapacitate a victim and prevent them from resisting sexual
assault. A new formula is available that fizzes and turns blue when it's dropped
into a liquid--but most rohypnol don’t.
 |
| Rohypnol is a brand name for flunitrazepam |
Effects: The drug produces a sedative effect,
amnesia, muscle relaxation, and a slowing of psychomotor responses. Sedation
occurs 20-30 minutes after administration and lasts for several hours. Rohypnol
is sometimes combined with alcohol, marijuana, or cocaine to produce a rapid and
very dramatic "high". Even when used on it’s own, users appear extremely
intoxicated, with slurred speech, experience lack of coordination, swaying, and
have blood-shot eyes.
After/Side Effects: An amnesia
producing effect of Rohypnol may prevent users from remembering how or why they
took the drug. This is the effect that makes Rohypnol a desired date-rape drug.
Paraphernalia Associated With Use:
none.
Short Term Consequences of Use: Rohypnol,
particularly when mixed with alcohol or other drugs may lead to respiratory
depression, aspiration, and even death.
Long Term
Consequences of Use: Rohypnol can produce physical dependence, and abrupt
cessation may cause signs and symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, intense
dreaming, parenthesis, increased sensitivity to light and sounds, and grand mal
seizure. When taken repeatedly, it can lead to physical and psychic dependence.
Facts & Statistics:
Rohypnol is
relatively inexpensive and reportedly being sold for under $5.00 a tablet in
several locations.
Rohypnol is the brand name of a sleeping pill
marketed in Mexico, South America, Europe and Asia by Roche Pharmaceuticals.
Rohypnol is known as the date rape drug, generically called
flunitrazepam.
Similar to Rohypnol, and sometimes used in it’s place
is clonazepam (Klonopin in the U.S. and Rivotril in Mexico.)
Sources:
http://www.teenchallenge.com/main/drugs/rohypnol.htm
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/rohypnol.htm
http://www.emergency.com/roofies.htm
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