Rohypnol
and G.H.B.
Rohypnol
information
Rohypnol,
the trade name for Flunitrazepam,
has been a concern for the last few years because of its abuse as a
"date rape" drug. People may unknowingly be given the drug
which, when mixed with alcohol, can incapacitate a victim and prevent them
from resisting sexual assault. Also, Rohypnol may be lethal when mixed
with alcohol and/or other depressants.
Rohypnol
produces
sedative-hypnotic effects including muscle relaxation and amnesia; it can
also produce physical and psychological dependence. In Miami, one of the
first sites of Rohypnol abuse, poison control centers report an increase
in withdrawal seizures among people addicted to Rohypnol.
Rohypnol
is
not approved for use in the United States and its importation is banned.
Illicit use of Rohypnol began in Europe in the 1970s and started appearing
in the United States in the early 1990s, where it became known as "rophies,"
"roofies," "roach," "rope," and the
"date rape" drug. Another very similar drug is now being sold as
"roofies" in Miami, Minnesota, and
Texas.
This
is clonazepam, marketed in the U.S. as Klonopin and in Mexico as Rivotril.
It is sometimes abused to enhance the effects of heroin and other opiates.
Based on emergency room admission information, Boston, San Francisco,
Phoenix, and Seattle appear to have the highest use rates of clonazepam.
GHB
information
Since
about 1990, GHB (gamma- hydroxybutyrate) has been abused in the U.S. for
euphoric, sedative, and anabolic (body building) effects. As with Rohypnol
and clonazepam, GHB has been associated with sexual assault in cities
throughout the country. Reports
from Detroit indicate liquid GHB is being used in nightclubs for effects
similar to those of Rohypnol. It is also common in the club scene in
Phoenix, Honolulu, and Texas, where it is known as "liquid
ecstasy," "somatomax," "scoop," or "grievous
bodily harm." In Miami, poison control center calls have reflected
problems associated with increased GHB use, including loss of
consciousness. In New York City, there have been reports of GHB use among
those in the fashion industry. In Atlanta, it is commonly used as a
synthetic steroid at fitness centers and gyms.Coma and seizures can occur
following abuse of GHB and, when combined with ecstasy, there appears to
be an increased risk of seizure. Combining use with other drugs such as
alcohol can result in nausea and difficulty breathing. GHB may also
produce withdrawal effects, including insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and
sweating. Because of concern about Rohypnol, GHB, and other similarly
abused sedative-hypnotics, Congress passed the "Drug-Induced Rape
Prevention and Punishment Act of 1996" in October 1996. This
legislation increased Federal penalties for use of any controlled
substance to aid in sexual assault.Information and educational materials
on Rohypnol and GHB directed toward college students are available from
the Rape Treatment Center at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center at
1-800-END-RAPE (1-800-363-7273). These materials are also being
distributed by the U.S. Department of Justice to law enforcement agencies
throughout the country.
Information
on this page courtesy of National Institute on Drug Abuse. |
