Posted by River1924 on November 24, 2005, at 0:19:14
In reply to Re: FDA gives nod to Xyrem for EDS in narcolepsy, posted by Phillipa on November 23, 2005, at 20:33:54
This is from the BBC (1999):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/medical_notes/270247.stm
Rohypnol is a legitimate drug used in the short-term treatment of sleep disorders, but has been abused for more sinister purposes.It has been implicated in several date rape cases in the US, although there is no confirmed case of it being used in sexual assualt cases in the UK.
It is the brand name of flunitrazepam, and is a part of the Valium family. It is 10 times more potent.
The drug is not legally available in the US, but is in Europe and Mexico. In the UK it is only available on prescription, and it is illegal to possess it without one.
It rose to prominence as the date rape drug because it was colourless, odourless and tasteless - ideal for spiking drinks undetected - and causes sedation or euphoria in approximately 20 to 30 minutes....
Street names for Rohypnol include rophies, ropies, ruffies, roofies, roche, R-2, mexican valium, rib, and rope...
Users report mixing it with beer to enhance the feeling of drunkenness, and it has been reported to be used in combination with marijuana and cocaine, as well as heroin....
It is also used to ease the come down from a cocaine or crack binge, according to RaveSafe, a drugs information service.
When combined with alcohol, Rohypnol can make users shed their inhibitions. They can also suffer from loss of memory.
It has been labelled the date rapist's drug of choice....
"The predominant clinical manifestations are drowsiness, impaired motor skills, and anterograde amnesia."....
Are there other date rape drugs
Another drug, gamma-hydroxybutryate (GHB) is also reported to have been used to incapacitate victims in order to sexually abuse them.
The effects of GHB are similar to those of Rohypnol - dizziness, confusion and memory loss. It is colourless and odourless. It is most commonly found in liquid form.
However, a US study in 1997 showed that alcohol remains the substance most frequently associated with substance-assisted sexual assault.
poster:River1924
thread:581538
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051119/msgs/581794.html