How to Prevent Drug Induced Rape
The drugs Rohypnol and GHB are being used to render victims helpless in order to sexually assault them. Both drugs possess disinhibiting sedative and amnesiac properties. The drug is usually administered to the victim in an alcoholic drink at a bar, party, or social function.
WHAT IS ROHYPNOL? (Flunirtazepam)
Rohypnol is a brand name for flunitrazepam (a benzodiazepine), a very potent tranquilizer belonging to the same class of drugs which include Valium (diazepam), Librium and Xanax, but many times stronger.
The drug is often distributed on the street in it's original "bubble packaging" which adds an air of legitimacy and makes it appear to be legal. The drug is not commonly used by physicians in the United States and is not even listed in the commonly used Physician's Desk Reference
The drug has been added to punch and other drinks at fraternity parties and college social gatherings, where it is reportedly given to female party participants in hopes of lowered inhibitions and facilitating potential sexual conquest. Police departments in several parts of the country say that after ingestion of "Roofies" that several young women have reported waking up in frat houses with no clothes on, finding themselves in unfamiliar surroundings with unfamiliar people, or having actually been sexually assaulted while under the influence of the drug
COMMON STREET NAMES:
Roofies, Ruffies, Roche, R-Z, Rib, Rope, Stupefi, Shays, Roachies
USE AND EFFECTS
Rohypnol is ingested orally, frequently in conjunction with alcohol or other drugs. The effects begin within 30 minutes, peak within 2 hours and may persist for up to eight hours or more depending on the dosage. Adverse effects of this drug are a decrease in blood pressure, memory impairment, drowsiness, visual disturbances, dizziness and confusion, and with some people it can cause excitability and aggressive behavior.
It is commonly reported that persons who become intoxicated on a combination of alcohol and rohypnol have "blackouts" lasting 6 to 12 hours following ingestion. Disinhibition is another widely reported effect. By itself, rohypnol is very unlikely to cause death but with alcohol the possibility exists that the combination could be fatal.
SCHEDULING:
In 1983, flunitrazepam was placed into Schedule IV of the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. To comply with the convention, the United States placed flunitrazepam in Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (CSA), despite little evidence of its abuse. In March 1995, flunitrazepam was moved to Schedule III by the World Health Organization, requiring more thorough record keeping on its licit distribution—the first benzodiazepine to require more rigid controls. However, due to recent increases in seizures and abuse of this drug, DEA currently is reviewing the possibility of placing flunitrazepam into Schedule I of the CSA. A Schedule I drug is considered to have a high potential for abuse, to have no currently accepted medical use in treatment, and to lack accepted levels of safety for use under medical supervision.
OVERDOSE
Following overdose with oral benzodiazepines, vomiting should be induced (within one hour) if the patient is conscious, or gastric lavage undertaken with the airway protected if the patient is unconscious. Beyond one hour, activated charcoal should be given to reduce absorption. Respiratory and cardiovascular function should be monitored as they may evidence depression. Central nervous system depression may manifest in degrees ranging from drowsiness, mental confusion, lethargy, to coma and death. Flunitrazepam overdose alone is unlikely to be lethal, but in combination with alcohol, death is considerably more likely.
The specific benzodiazepine antagonist Romazicon (flumazenil; formerly known as Mazicon) can be used for reversing the severe effects of overdose. The recommended dosage is 3 to 5 mg administered at 0.5 mg/minute; however, for patients who are physically dependent or at high risk of withdrawal, a slower dosage schedule (0.2 mg/minute over 5-10 minutes) may be more appropriate if possible, with careful observation for withdrawal symptoms (confusion, agitation, emotional lability, perceptual distortion) or seizures. Romazicon reverses only benzodiazepine sedation, and if 3 to 5 mg have been administered with no clinical response, continued administration is unlikely to be effective. Resedation may be treated with repeated doses at 20 minute intervals, with a maximum of an additional 1 mg (at 0.2 mg/min at any one time, up to an additional 3 mg in any one hour.
WHAT IS GHB? (Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate)
GHB was originally developed as an anesthetic, but withdrawn due to unwanted side effects. It has ben used for the treatment of narcolepsy, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and more recently as a growth hormone stimulant and fat burning drug used by body builders. In 1990 the FDA banned the sale of GHB in the United States. GHB can be produced in the form of a white power, but it is more commonly encountered as an odorless, clear liquid. GHB has a salty taste which is masked when mixed with a drink. GHB will remain in a person's blood for approximately 4 hours and will remain detectable in the urine until it has been excreted.
COMMON STREET NAMES:
GHB, Liquid E, Liquid X, Grievous Bodily Harm, Saltwater, Easy Lay, Scoop (West Coast)
SYMPTOMS:
Classic CNS depressant;
1-2 hours life;
Almost immediate onset of HGN;
Muscle Tremors, twitches;
Sweat profusely (like PCP);
Nausea, vomiting.
USE AND EFFECTS
GHB is primarily used by body builders with the false assumption that it will burn fat and increase hormone growth. It is promoted as a drug that will increase one's sexual awareness and lead to more intense sexual activity. Low doses result in a general feeling of euphoria, (similar to being moderately under the effect of alcohol) which include: decreased inhibitions, increased sociability, followed by drowsiness then sleep. Higher doses result in an immediate onset of intoxication leading to a deep unresponsive sleep, shallow breathing, decreased blood pressure and invariably anterograde amnesia. In conjunction with alcohol or any depressant drug it may be fatal.
GHB is categorized as a prescription drug under Title 21, U.S. Code, Section 353(b)(1)(B).
This drug can easily be disguised in a beverage. Within a few minutes of drinking the liquid, the victim will appear intoxicated and become helpless. The individual coming to her aid will appear a good samaritan to those watching, but may be the one who spiked by drink and is planning to rape the victim. When the victim regains consciousness she will probably have no memory of the attack. Because GHB is quickly absorbed into the human body, evidence will be lost if the victim's blood or urine is not preserved soon after the attach. The half-life of GHB is about 20-60 minutes.
OVERDOSE
Following overdose with oral benzodiazepines, vomiting should be induced (within one hour) if the patient is conscious, or gastric lavage undertaken with the airway protected if the patient is unconscious. Beyond one hour, activated charcoal should be given to reduce absorption. Respiratory and cardiovascular function should be monitored as they may evidence depression. Central nervous system depression may manifest in degrees ranging from drowsiness, mental confusion, lethargy, to coma and death. Flunitrazepam overdose alone is unlikely to be lethal, but in combination with alcohol, death is considerably more likely.
The specific benzodiazepine antagonist Romazicon (flumazenil; formerly known as Mazicon) can be used for reversing the severe effects of overdose. The recommended dosage is 3 to 5 mg administered at 0.5 mg/minute; however, for patients who are physically dependent or at high risk of withdrawal, a slower dosage schedule (0.2 mg/minute over 5-10 minutes) may be more appropriate if possible, with careful observation for withdrawal symptoms (confusion, agitation, emotional lability, perceptual distortion) or seizures. Romazicon reverses only benzodiazepine sedation, and if 3 to 5 mg have been administered with no clinical response, continued administration is unlikely to be effective. Resedation may be treated with repeated doses at 20 minute intervals, with a maximum of an additional 1 mg (at 0.2 mg/min at any one time, up to an additional 3 mg in any one hour.
MYTHS AND FACTS:
Myth: The rapist is oversexed, committing this crime on impulse and out of uncontrollable passion.
Fact: Rape is not an expression of sexual desire, but a crime of violence. It is motivated primarily by desire to control and dominate, rather than by sex.
Fact: No one asks to be raped. Studies have shown no correlation between dress, appearance, and age.
Fact: Most women who have been raped were in an environment they considered safe and were raped by someone they thought they could trust.
Reduce the Risk of Becoming aVictim of Drug Induced Rape
Suggestions to Protect Yourself
- When going to a bar, party or social event, never go alone.Friends can watch out for each other.
- Never accept a drink from anyone except the bartender and watch your drink being mixed.
- Don't share or exchange drinks.
- Never leave your drink unattended, allowing someone the opportunity to slip something into it. If you feel you are becoming severely intoxicated after only one or two drinks, get help. Call 911. You may have ingested GHB or Rohypnol.
- Never leave a bar or club with someone you have just met, especially if you are feeling intoxicated. Beware of someone who wants you to go outside for a breath of fresh air.
DANGER SIGNALS
Unfortunately, someone who seems to be a nice normal person can turn out to be a rapist. Remember: a rapist can be anyone. Rapists come from all social and professional backgrounds. However, there are some men who are more likely to be sexually aggressive than others.
Watch Out For:
- Men who do not listen to you, Ignore what you say, Talk over you or Pretend not to hear you. Such men generally have little respect for women. Men who ignore your personal space boundaries.
- Men who express anger or aggression towards women as individuals or in general, (hostile feelings can easily be translated into hostile acts).
- Men who have wrong or unrealistic ideas about women (for example, "women are meant to serve men")
What If It Happens To Me?
Don't feel guilty and don't just try to forget about it. You didn't ask to be raped. Any rape is a violent attack that can have traumatic effects on the victim for months and even years afterward.
Get Help!
- If you have unaccounted for time, a lapse of memory, or wake up in a strange place, and feel you have been sexually assaulted, contact a local law enforcement agency immediately. Remember: rapists are repeat offenders. By reporting this crime, you may save someone else from being attacked.
- Collect your first urine sample in a clean container. Remember: this may be the only evidence linking the drug to the crime. Do not bathe, shower, douche, wash clothing, bedding, or disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred. You may destroy valuable evidence!