Azucena Cano

March 16, 2009

Government

Drug Project Essay

Rohypnol: The Date Rape Drug

People seem to be fascinated whenever they talk about drugs. They become
interested whether it is through a story, statistic, lecture, or from personal
experience. Flunitrazepamor Rohypnol is a small, tasteless white pill depressant but
its best known as "the date rape drug." It is also known to be one of the most
dangerous drugs in history. Its use is to illegally sexually assault people. People use
it to take control over a human being, even if it is for a night.

A Swiss pharmaceutical company called Hoffman- La Roche developed

Bemodiazepines in the 1950s. During the 1960s and the 1970s Rohypnol was
introduced as a "tranquilizer." Even though it is illegal to sell Rohypnol, other
countries can manufacture this drug and sell it. It is used as a sleeping pill and
muscle relaxant. This is probably why rapists choose this drug. The United Nations
classified Rohypnol to be a Schedule I, which is the highest schedule for any type of
drug. It means that it has a high potential of abuse or addiction and is also one of
the most dangerous drugs. Rohypnol can be bought legally in Europe and Mexico.
The drug is prescribed as sleeping pill or anesthesia. It is an illegal drug in the
United States (4woman.gov).

Rohypnol is an inexpensive club drug. A club drug is found or used at night clubs
and at raves. They are frequently used by college students. Rohypnol is the date
drug. A tablet can cost from a range of .50 cents to $8 dollars (ASP). Guys in
particular use this drug to physically abuse women. Sexual assault is happening
everyday around the world. It is when one person does not want to give or receive
sex and is forced to do it. Women are victims of date rape.

Rohypnol is taken in the form of a pill. It has the word "ROCHE" and the number 1 or
2. Like any other drug Rohypnol has its street names which are; Rophy, Ruffles, Ruff
Up, Rib, Roach 2,R2, Rope, Ropies, Forget-me-pill, Mexican Valium, etc (Rohypnol
Fact Sheet). On the other side it has a slash so it could easily be cut in half.
Once Rohypnol is consumed, it will quickly have a reaction to the human body. '20
minutes is the average time of effect in the human body when Rohypnol is
ingested" (Date rape Drugs). If it is taken without alcohol the effect will last
approximately 8-12 hours, and 36 with alcohol. The effects of this drug can lead into
death; have nausea, memory loss, confusion, low blood pressure, and brain
damage.

Rohypnol can be inhaled or crushed. It is odorless and very easy to slip in food. It is
so powerful; Valium is 5 times less powerful than this dangerous pill. When the drug
is slipped into a drink "it tends to leave telltale blue floating particles." It will be
visible on any clear drink like Vodka or white wine.

One of the first things that come to mind when a person is abused is from an
abusive relationship. It is the physical, emotional, and or verbal abuse of one
partner towards the other, in a current or former dating relationship. It consists of
punching, kicking or slapping. Attacking with a knife, gun or another weapon are
tools that are even more tormenting to the person who is being abused. “One in
four women in Mexico has suffered physical, and sometimes sexual, violence at the
hands of the partner” (Amnesty International USA). Any physical act that is
unwanted or cruel it is going to be physical abuse.

The date rape scenario usually begins with a guy desiring to be with a woman for
the night. He will choose a girl at a club or party and talk to her until he offers to
buy her a drink. While he is at the bar waiting for the drink, he will get out the pill
(Rohypnol) and slip it inside the drink. After he gives it to the girl it is only a matter
of time before he gets her in bed with him and abuses her.

Unfortunately it is very hard to report sexual abuse since there needs to be proof.
They have to show the bruises or the bleeding in order to be considered to file the
case. Men should be going to jail for mistreating a woman. Let alone, they must
bow down and be thankful for what they have done for them. Using Rohypnol as a
tool is disgusting; it only adds more to how animalistic men really are.

"An increasingly popular form of Rohyphnolabuse is as an "alcohol extender" for

individuals who prefer not to drink large quantities of alcohol but want to enhance
the feeling of being drunk" (ASP). It is unlikely for anyone to overdose on Rohypnol.
If a person takes the pill with alcohol the chances of being abused or out of control
are much higher.
It might be difficult for people to think that Alcohol is a date rape drug. As a matter
of fact, it is. Alcohol has as much potential to get a woman or man sexually abused.
Once a person is drunk they no longer have control over their body or a conscience
to make a decision It is a terrible thing to think about but people do this because
once a person consumes a drug they can manipulate a person which only leads
them to feeling good. Besides Rohypnol, ecstacy is also well known to be a date
rape drug. The dosage that comes in the pill is powerful and has almost the same
effects as Rohypnol.

People will only know if they have been abused usually the day after it
happens or after the pill has worn off. The best way to prevent from taking Rohypnol
is by not accepting any drink. People who consume the pill don’t necessarily have to
blame themselves. They need to know that there are people out there who may look
incredibly nice, but have a malevolence mind.

Rohypnol will continue to be one of the most dangerous drugs until someone
destroys it. People who buy the drug hopefully one day think that it its incredibly
bad. The only way that they are doing it is because they are depressed or mentally
ill. Those who have consumed the drug shouldn’t blame themselves for accepting
the drink. They should know that people can’t be trusted and that they need to be
conscious of their decisions.
 Work Cited

"ASP Online." University at Albany - SUNY.16 Mar. 2009

<http://www.albany.edu/~asp/issue19990326/middle_earth.html>.

"Date Rape Drugs." Womenshealth.gov -- 1-800-994-9662. 16 Mar. 2009

<http://www.4woman.gov/faq/date-rape-drugs.cfm>.

“Demand Proper Protection of Women’s Rights in Mexico.” Amnesty International.20

October

2008. 28 January 2009. <http://www.amnesty.org>.

"Neuroscience for Kids - Rohypnol." UW Faculty Web Server. 16 Mar. 2009

<http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/roof.html>.

"Rohypnol." Brown University.16 Mar. 2009

<http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/atod/od
_rohypnol.htm>

"Rohypnol Fact Sheet - Date Rape Drugs - What are they and how can you protect
yourself?" Teen

Advice - Advice and Community For Teens. 16 Mar. 2009

<http://teenadvice.about.com/library/weekly/aa062502c.htm>.

"Rohypnol Information from Drugs.com." Drugs.com | Prescription Drugs -

Information, Interactions & Side Effects.16 Mar. 2009
<http://www.drugs.com/rohypnol.html>.