Rohypnol
Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) is a tranquilizer similar in chemical composition to Valium but is 10 times more potent. One milligram can impair an individual for eight to twelve hours. It is most commonly known as the “date-rape” drug because it is odorless, tasteless and can be unknowingly slipped into a beverage. Victims who have been drugged often awaken disoriented and suffer from memory loss. The drug is taken or administered orally, smoked or snorted.
Facts
- Used by criminal predators for sexual assault and robbery
- Causes sleepiness, loss of coordination, dizziness, confusion and amnesia
- Street names include roofies, la rocha, ruffies, roche, rope, roofenol, roachies and rib
- Appear as white pills or tablets, imprinted with the name “Roche”, in blister packs or crushed into powder
- Found hiding in beverages to facilitate violent crimes, robberies or sexual assaults
Effects
Rohypnol is physically and psychologically addictive, producing sedative effects that force the muscles to relax and slow the response time of the central nervous system. Combining rohypnol with alcohol and other drugs, especially ecstasy, intensifies its sedative and toxic effects and can lead to heart failure, coma and death.
Short-term use of rohypnol can lead to sleepiness, loss of coordination, dizziness, confusion and decreased blood pressure. Long-term abuse results in anxiety, panic attacks, social phobias and amnesia. Withdrawal symptoms include muscle pain, headache, hallucinations, seizures and cardiovascular collapse. These symptoms intensify three to five days after use of the drug is discontinued.
Rohypnol is a Schedule IV controlled substance in the United States and is accepted for limited medical use.
What rohypnol does to your:
- Brain—Depresses the central nervous system. It produces amnesia (memory loss) and muscle relaxation and lowers inhibitions, impairing judgment.
- Heart—Decreases blood pressure.
- Liver—Lethal to the liver when mixed with alcohol and/or other depressants.
- Lungs—Slows pulse and breathing, and may result in respiratory depression and arrest.