Date Rape Drug Rohypnol (Flunitrazepan) - is Still a Threat and an Abused Drug

Often, we tend to think a problem has gone away—or at least lessened—when the media dies down or goes silent on a particular topic. This tendency can make us vulnerable, because we are lulled into a false sense that all is well and we can relax. Rohypnol, also know as “roofies, rophies, roche, party poppers, ruffies, rib, Mexican Valium, roach-2, roaches, R2, roopies, rope, ropies, circles,” and the “forget-me pill,” is still a threat to both women and men and a routinely abused drug.

Description:

Original Rohypnol is a small round or oblong white pill with the name ROCHE and the numeral 1 or 2 in a circle stamped on it. Rohypnol comes in a .5 and a 1-milligram dosage. The 2-milligram tablet was phased out between 1996 and 1997 and they are currently phasing out the round white 1-milligram tablet. While the pill is the most commonly used street form, it can also be found as an injectable solution. Hoffman-La Roche has made a change in the Rohypnol tablet, because of its illicit use. The new 1-milligram dose is an oblong, olive green tablet, with the number 542 on it. Hoffman-La Roche says the new tablet contains a dye that will be visible if it is slipped into a drink.

How do people get it?

Hoffman-La Roche Inc. produces Rohypnol and it is legally sold in Latin America and Europe as a pre-anesthetic medication and a short-term treatment for insomnia. Rohypnol is legally sold in 64 countries in Europe, South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. It is currently possible to bring Rohypnol into the country for personal use and, of course, it finds its way illegally across the boarders. While Rohypnol may have first found its way into the country from Mexico via Florida, California and Texas (popular resort areas, in particular for spring breakers), it can be found almost anywhere.

What does it do?