Rohypnol(drug abuse)

Generic name:Flunitarazepam
Brand name: Rihypnol, others; not available legally in U.S, but is available in other countries common or street names: forget me drug, Rochester roofies, ruffles, date rape drug, roofenol, lunch money drug, etc.

        What is Rohypnol? 

Rohypnol is an intermediate acting benzodiazepine with general properties similar to those of valium(diazepam).it is used in the short term treatment of insomnia, as a premeditation in surgical procedures and for inducing anaesthesia.
like other benzodiazepines(such as Valium, Librium and xanax), Rohypnol effect include sedation, muscle relaxation, reduction in anxiety and prevention of convulsions. However, Rohypnol sedative effects are approximately 7 to 10 times stronger than Valium. The effects of Rohypnol appear 15 to 20 minutes after administration and last approximately four to Six hours. Some residual effect can be found 12 hours or more after administration.

since the 1990s, Royhpnol has been sued illegally to lessen the depression caused by the abuse of stimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, and also as an aid for sexual assault. The so called "date rape drug " was placed unknowingly in the drink of victims, often at a bar or club, due to strong amnesia produced by the drugs, victim would have limited or no recollection of the assault.

               Important information 

Royhpnol is not approved for medical use or manufactued in the United States and is not available legally. However it is prescribed in over 60 other countries and is widely available in Mexico, Colombia and Europe where it is used for the treatment of insomnia and as a preanesthetic. Therefore, it was placed into s heduld1V of the controlled substance Act in 1987due to international treaty obligations and remains under that classification.schedule iv drugs are considered to have a lower abuse potential but can lead to physical or psychological dependence. The penalties associated with the possession, trafficking and distribution of Rohypnol are equivalent to those of a schedule 1 substance (schedule 1 substance include heroin, marijuana and MDMA).

Rohypnol cause partial amnesia, individual are unable to remember certain event that they experience while under the influence of the drug. This effect is particularly dangerous when Rohypnol is used to aid in the commission of sexual assault, Victims may not be able to clearly recall the assailant, or the events surrounding the assault.

It is difficult to estimate the number of Rohynol-facilitated rapes in the United State.very often, biological samples are taken from victim at a time when the effects of the drug have already passed and only residual amount remains in the body fluids. These residual amount are difficult, if not impossible to detect using standard screening assays available in the United State. If Rohypnol exposure is to be detected at all, urine sample need to be collected within 72hours and subjected to sensitive analytical tests. The problem is compounded by the onset of amnesia after ingestion of the drug, which causes the victim to be uncertain about the fact surrounding the rape.

Rohypnol, previously available as a white tablet that dissolved without color or taste is now formulated as a caplet that is light green with a blue core. The manufactural instituted this change to help identify tampered drinks at clubs. When dissolved in clear liquid the blue core with turn the clear liquid blue. However, when dissolved in darker colored liquid, the blue dye may not be noticeable.generic version of Rohypnol may not contain the blue dye.

                        Abuse potential 

While Rohypnol has become widely known for its used as a date rape drugs, it is abused more by school students, college students, street gang members, rave party attendance, and heroin and cocaine abusers to produce profound intoxication, boost the high of heroin, and modulate the effects of cocaine.Rohypnol is usually consumed orally and is often combine with alcohol

It may also be abused by crushing tablets and snorting the powder, or by dissolving prior to injection.

Rohypnol abuse causes a number of adverse effects, drowsiness, dizziness, loss of motor control, gastrointestinal disturbance, lasting 12 or more hours, higher doses may produce respiratory depression.

Injection of any illegal drugs puts the user at risk of contracting HIV(human immunodeficiency virus), hepatitis B and C, and other blood-borne illnesses.