Rohypnol, "the date rape drug" pushed to public fore front

Not just topics confined to daytime talk shows anymore, two illegal and potentially life threatening substances deemed since 1990 as "date rape drugs" have surfaced in the United States.

Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) and GHB (gammahydroxybutyrate), being discussed at great length on high school and college campus, are the center of a statewide alert by Ill. Attorney General Jim Ryan. On Monday in Springfield nearly 300 university representatives, counselors and law enforcement officers attended a summit in which they received information on "date rape" drugs and suggestions for curtailing their use on campuses and various other places young adults frequent.

Rohypnol, which has been nicknamed roofies, roach, the forget pill or rope in certain parts of the country, is manufactured in Switzerland and is legal in 64 countries. Rohypnol's intended use is to treat sleeping disorders. Rohypnol tablets are round, white and slightly smaller than aspirin and is usually distributed in a bubble foil packet.

Rohypnol is colorless, odorless and tasteless which makes it undetectable when dissolved in beverages. Rohypnol's affects begin to take place within 30 minutes of ingestion and may persist for eight hours or more depending on the dosage. Misuse of Rohypnol may affect the central nervous system. It impairs judgment and motor skills, slurs speech, produces drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and amnesia. Rohypnol is potentially dangerous if mixed with alcoholic beverages.

GHB is referred to as "home brew" and is made in street labs. As with Rohypnol, it becomes increasingly dangerous if mixed with alcohol. GHB is also colorless, odorless and tasteless. GHB can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, seizures, severe respiratory difficulties, unconsciousness and coma.

There has been one confirmed case of rape with the use of Rohypnol on the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale campus and four suspected cases. To date, there have been no reported cases on the SIUE campus.

Suggestions for protecting against these date rape drugs are: