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What
is Rohypnol?
Rohypnol,
the trade name for flunitrazepam, is a drug produced by La Roche
Pharmaceuticals. It is manufactured for use as a pre-surgery relaxant and
is given to patients before they undergo anesthesia. Although use of Rohypnol is not legal in the United States,
DEA officials say that Rohypnol is illegally coming into the U.S. from
Mexico, Columbia, and Europe. The
DEA has classified Rohypnol as a schedule IV drug, which means that large
dose over a long period of time, can lead to physical or psychological
dependence. Because of its rapid spread across the country, and because of
its mind-altering and addictive effects, the DEA is trying to upgrade
Rohypnol to a Schedule 1 drug, which would put it in the same class as
heroin and LSD.
What
are some of the slang names for Rohypnol?
Rohypnol
is known by many different names on the street:
Ø
Rophies
Ø
Roofies
Ø
Roach
Ø
Rope
Ø
Ruffies
Ø
The “date rape “drug
Ø
Mexican valium
Ø
Costa Rican Quaaludes
Ø
Forget pill or
Ø
Forget me pill
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What
are the effects of Rohypnol?
It
produces sedative-hypnotic effects including victim
and prevent them from resisting sexual assault. Rohypnol
intoxication is generally associated with impaired judgment and impaired
motor skills. The combination of alcohol and Rohypnol is also particularly
hazardous because together, their effects on memory and judgment are
greater that the effects resulting from either taken alone.
It is commonly reported that persons who become intoxicated on a
combination of alcohol and rohypnol have “blackouts’ lasting 8 to 24
hours following ingestion.
Once
physical dependence has developed, abrupt termination of the drug will
result in withdrawal symptoms, such as:
¨
Extreme anxiety;
¨
Headache;
¨
Muscle pain;
¨
Restlessness;
¨
Tension;
¨
Confusion and irritability
Higher doses may induce insomnia.
Rohypnol
sells for about $2.50 to $5.00 per pill and is packaged in a foil bubble
package that makes it seem clean and safe.
Officials say “Roofies” have been used by some school children
8 to 10 years old in the past five years.
Source: NIDA, ONDCP, U.S. DHHS, 10/00
To find out more
about Rohypnol or other drugs and alcohol contact the TAADAS Clearinghouse
1800 Church Street Suite 100,
Nashville, TN 37203 or by calling 615.780.5901; 1.800.889.9789, or on the
Internet at www.taadas.org.
The Clearinghouse is funded by the TN. Dept. of Health
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