Why is Rohypnol called the "date rape drug"?
Rohypnol has been associated with date rape, and has also been called the "Forget Pill," "Trip-and-Fall," and "Mind-Erasers." In combination with alcohol, it can induce a blackout with memory loss and a decrease in resistance. Girls and women around the country have reported being raped after being involuntarily sedated with Rohypnol, which was often slipped into their drink by an attacker. The drug has no taste or odor so the victims don't realize what is happening. About ten minutes after ingesting the drug, the woman may feel dizzy and disoriented, simultaneously too hot and too cold, or nauseated. She may experience difficulty speaking and moving, and then pass out. Such victims have no memories of what happened while under the drug's influence.Are there other "date rape" type drugs?
Since about 1990, GHB (gamma-hydroxybutrate) has been abused in the U.S. for euphoric, sedative, and anabolic (bodybuilding) effects. As with Rohypnol, GHB has been associated with sexual assault in cites throughout the country. Common names include, "liquid ecstasy," "somatomax," "scoop," or "grievous bodily harm."How can I avoid becoming a victim of rape under the influence of Rohypnol or GHB?
Here are a few suggestions for staying aware and alert:- Be
wary about accepting drinks from anyone you don't know
well or long enough to trust.
- If you are accepting
a drink, make sure it's from an unopened container and
that you open it yourself.
- Don't
put your drink down and leave it unattended, even to go
to the restroom.
- Notify
other females you know about the effects of this
dangerous drug.
- If you think that you have been a victim, notify the authorities immediately.
For more information:
You can find out more about Rohypnol by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center (800-994-9662) or the following organizations:National
Institute on Drug Abuse
Phone: (888) NIH-NIDA Internet Address:
http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDAHome1.html
American
Council for Drug Education
Phone: (800) 488-3784 Internet Address:
http://www.acde.org/
American
Society of Addiction Medicine
Phone: (301) 656-3920 Internet Address:
http://www.asam.org/
Association
for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse
Phone: (401) 444-1817 Internet Address:
http://www.amersa.org/
This
information was abstracted from fact sheets prepared by the
National Institute on Drug Abuse (Rohypnol and GHB -
http://165.112.78.61/Infofax/RohypnolGHB.html.
Adapted from the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services
