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Violent Crime Statistics • Date Rape Information • FAQ Women's Self Defnese • Women's Self Defense Classes • Women's Self Defense Training • Tips for Personal and Family Security
 One
of the most popular myths is that strangers who are
lurking in the bushes somewhere commit rapes. While
these rapes do occur, most rapes are committed by
acquaintances, someone you know, perhaps a boyfriend,
friend, husband, or relative. Almost half of all rapes
occur in the victim's home or room.
Many times a woman will not want to confront her
assailant, for fear of losing a job, getting a bad grade
or losing respect within the community. Women sometimes
look towards themselves, asking what they did wrong,
therefore shifting the blame away from where it really
should be.
The best way to protect yourself is to be aware of your
surroundings and the people that
you're with. Don't ignore feelings of uneasiness you may
feel around a certain man, and don't worry about being
rude or unfriendly. If someone is making you
uncomfortable, don't let them intimidate you, and don't
be afraid to let them know what your limits are. Keep in
mind that whether you know the man, if it is a friend,
if they assault you, it is rape and it can be reported.
"DATE RAPE" DRUG (Rohypnol)
What is the "date rape" drug?
What does
Rohypnol look like?
Is Rohypnol legal?
Who uses Rohypnol
and how?
Why has
there been an increase in teen use of Rohypnol?
What happens
when you take Rohypnol? What are the side effects?
Is Rohypnol addictive?
Why is Rohypnol called
the "date rape drug"?
Are
there other "date rape" type drugs?
How can I avoid
becoming a victim of rape under the influence of
Rohypnol or GHB?
What is
the "date rape" drug?
The "date rape" drug is the common name
for Rohypnol, generically called flunitrazepam. Rohypnol
is manufactured by Hoffman-La Roche and prescribed as a
sleeping pill in countries outside of the United States.
It is used as a short-term treatment for insomnia, as a
sedative hypnotic and a pre-anesthetic. It has
physiological effects similar to Valium (diazepam), but
is approximately ten times more potent. It is used also
as an illicit drug, often in combination with other
drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, and alcohol. Common
names for Rohypnol include the following: rophies,
roofies, R2, roofenol, Roche, roachies, la rocha, rope,
rib, circles, Mexican valium, roach-2, roopies, and
ropies. A similar drug is known as clonazepam (Klonopin
in the U.S. and Rivotril in Mexico.)
What does Rohypnol look like?
Rohypnol tablets are white, scored on
one side, with the word "ROCHE" and an encircled one or
two (depending on the dosage) on the other. They are
sold in pre-sealed bubble packs of one or two mg doses.
Rohypnol can often be dissolved in a drink, and
undetectable.
Is
Rohypnol legal?
No, Rohypnol is not manufactured or sold
legally in the United States. However, it is produced
and sold legally by prescription in Europe and Latin
America. It is smuggled into the United States by mail
or delivery services.
Who uses
Rohypnol and how?
Rohypnol use has been reported on every
inhabited continent. It is often used in conjunction
with other drugs. It is usually ingested orally, but can
be snorted. Teen use of Rohypnol is increasing. The most
common pattern of use is by teenagers and young adults
as an alcohol extender in an attempt to create a
dramatic "high" most often in combination with beer, or
as a drug to incapacitate a victim before a sexual
assault.
Why has there been an increase in teen use of Rohypnol?
First, Rohypnol is a low-cost drug, sold
at less than $5.00 per tablet. Second, common
misconceptions may explain the drug's popularity with
young people: 1) many erroneously believe that the drug
is unadulterated because it comes in pre-sealed bubble
packs -- and therefore tamper-proof and safe; 2) many
mistakenly think its use cannot be detected by
urinalysis testing.
What
happens when you take Rohypnol? What are the side
effects?
Rohypnol intoxication is generally
associated with impaired judgment and impaired motor
skills and can make a victim unable to resist a sexual
attack. The combination of alcohol and Rohypnol is also
particularly hazardous because together, their effects
on memory and judgment are greater than the effects
resulting from either taken alone. Effects begin within
thirty minutes, peak within two hours, and can persist
for up to eight hours. It is commonly reported that
persons who become intoxicated on a combination of
alcohol and flunitrazepam have "blackouts" lasting eight
to twenty-four hours following ingestion. Disinhibition
(losing your social inhibitions) is another widely
reported effect of Rohypnol, when taken alone or in
combination with alcohol. Adverse effects of Rohypnol
use include, decreased blood pressure, memory
impairment, drowsiness, visual disturbances, dizziness,
confusion, gastrointestinal disturbances and urinary
retention.
Is Rohypnol
addictive?
Yes. Rohypnol can cause physical
dependence. Withdrawal symptoms include headache, muscle
pain, confusion, hallucinations and convulsions.
Seizures may occur up to a week after cessation of use.
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:
- 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.
-
Always carry a
DrinkSafe
Card with you.
Some additional steps to be taken in
preventing date rape are:
-
If you
live alone, only use your first initial and your last
name on your mailbox.
-
There
is safety in numbers, travel in groups whenever
possible.
-
Take a
self-defense course for women and learn how to resist
an assailant.
-
Keep
in mind that any date can turn into a date rape.
-
Know
the name of the men that you date, and be reserved on
the first day. Perhaps offer to pay for yourself so
that you don't 'owe' anything.
-
If
you're going home with a man that you don't know very
well, make sure that someone else knows, and let the
man know this as well.
-
If you
begin to feel uncomfortable let him know right away
that he's gone too far. Look for a way to leave.
-
Never
feel that you have to give in to sexual intercourse.
If you feel pressure, leave.
-
Use
drugs and alcohol with caution.
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.
All material contained in the FAQs is
free of copyright restrictions, and may be copied,
reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the
Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and
Human Services; citation of the source is appreciated.
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