"Date Rape Pill" Causes Growing Concern
9-10-96
University Park, Pa. -- Concern is mounting over the drug "Rohypnol", the brand name for flunitrazepam, a tranquillizer that is legal in 64 countries but which is not approved for use in the United States. The drug, produced by Hoffman-LaRoche Inc, is prescribed for insomnia and sedation.
Being likened to the "Quaaludes" of the 1960s and 70s, the inexpensive white tablets are smuggled in from Mexico. The drug is frequently combined with alcohol, marijuana or cocaine to produce a rapid, dramatic "high." It has gained popularity as the latest "date rape drug of choice" because it produces a highly intoxicated effect in the victim including slurred speech, lack of coordination, swaying, blood-shot eyes and temporary amnesia. Street names for the tablets include "roofies," "ruffies," "roche'" "R-2," "rib" and "rope."
Rohypnol is similar to Valium but approximately 10 times more potent. Though it initially causes an excited, agitated or disinhibited state, the drug produces a sedative effect within 10 to 30 minutes of ingestion. The effects can persist up to eight hours or more. Adverse effects can be severe, especially when combined with another substance -- a single 2mg tablet in an alcoholic beverage has the potential to induce coma, respiratory depression, aspiration and even death.
The most well-known case of Rohypnol abuse occurred when Nirvana group member Kurt Cobain ingested the drug with a glass of champagne and slipped into a temporary coma one month before he committed suicide.
Though abuse of this drug has been concentrated in high schools and colleges in the South and Southwest, particularly Florida, Texas and southern California, instances where Rohypnol is suspected in sexual assaults cases are beginning to surface along the east coast, including in Pennsylvania.
The drug has been slipped into punch and other drinks at college social gatherings. Women have been frequently targeted as potential rape victims, but reports have also been received of it being used in gay bars in certain areas of both the east and west coast.
Because of the amnesia-producing effect, investigation of sexually-related or other offenses is very difficult to conduct, and may account for repeated reports of "date rape" involving this drug. One convicted rapist boasted to authorities that he had attacked as many as 20 women using Rohypnol.
According to Dr. Margaret Spear, Director at University Health Services, Rohypnol is suspected in some local sexual assault cases over the past year.
"Men and women are strongly advised to use good judgement and never accept an opened drink, especially from a stranger. If you are drinking any beverage in a social setting, make sure that you are the one who opens the drink. It's also a wise practice not to let your drink out of your sight. The drug comes in tablet form and dissolves easily, so don't expect to be able to visually tell if a drink has been tampered with."
Anyone who believes that they may have ingested the drug should seek medical attention immediately by dialing 911. If possible, they should also give to medical personnel any beverage that they may have been drinking at the time.
Contact:
Christy Rambeau 814-865-7517 (office) cmr7@psu.edu
Pam Meier Koons 814-865-6555 (office) 814-863-8464 fax pmm7@psu.edu