Undetectable danger: Rohypnol and sexual assault
Reena Besa
Issue date: 9/24/02 Section: Features
Most students go out to bars with friends intending to meet people, dance, drink and simply relieve pressures associated with the daily academic grind. After listening to professors, dealing with assignment deadlines and chewing through dry course readings, a little recreation almost seems like a necessity.
In recent years, however, the dangers associated with this type of recreation have expanded beyond the traditional concerns about hangovers and morning-after regrets. Now revelers have to worry about becoming a victim of so-called "date rape drugs:" colourless, odourless substances that can render the victim unconscious, particularly when combined with alcohol.
Of all the date rape drugs, the one commonly seen as the most dangerous is rohypnol, more commonly known as "roofies."
"A lot of people feel there is a misconception, many erroneously believe that [rohypnol] is unadulterated, and consider it safe because it comes in bubble packaging, similar to that of gum," says Inspector Myla Parrent, a community liason officer with Brock's Campus Police. "It only seems safe and untampered."
Rohypnol is a hallucinogen drug, manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Hoffman-La Roche in Mexico. Despite being legal in over 60 countries for use as tranquilizer and surgical anesthetic, it is illegal to prescribe or purchase rohypnol in Canada and the United States. Anyone possessing rohypnol in North America can face criminal charges.
"There is no legal use for [rohypnol] in Canada," says Parrent.
Making rohypnol even more dangerous is its resemblance to over-the-counter pain killers, such as acetaminophen.
"It's very similar to the size, shape and color of Aspirin and available in one and two milligram tablets, and cost anywhere between $1 and $5 a tablet," says Parrent.
Rohypnol rapists, who can come in the guise of 'friends,' strangers or even bartenders, use the drug by dropping it into the victim's beverage. Whether in an alcoholic drink, pop, or water, rohypnol dissolves quickly. Once the pill has dissolved and the contaminated drink consumed, the drug will start to take effect after about 20 minutes. The effects can last anywhere from eight to 24 hours.
In recent years, however, the dangers associated with this type of recreation have expanded beyond the traditional concerns about hangovers and morning-after regrets. Now revelers have to worry about becoming a victim of so-called "date rape drugs:" colourless, odourless substances that can render the victim unconscious, particularly when combined with alcohol.
Of all the date rape drugs, the one commonly seen as the most dangerous is rohypnol, more commonly known as "roofies."
"A lot of people feel there is a misconception, many erroneously believe that [rohypnol] is unadulterated, and consider it safe because it comes in bubble packaging, similar to that of gum," says Inspector Myla Parrent, a community liason officer with Brock's Campus Police. "It only seems safe and untampered."
Rohypnol is a hallucinogen drug, manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Hoffman-La Roche in Mexico. Despite being legal in over 60 countries for use as tranquilizer and surgical anesthetic, it is illegal to prescribe or purchase rohypnol in Canada and the United States. Anyone possessing rohypnol in North America can face criminal charges.
"There is no legal use for [rohypnol] in Canada," says Parrent.
Making rohypnol even more dangerous is its resemblance to over-the-counter pain killers, such as acetaminophen.
"It's very similar to the size, shape and color of Aspirin and available in one and two milligram tablets, and cost anywhere between $1 and $5 a tablet," says Parrent.
Rohypnol rapists, who can come in the guise of 'friends,' strangers or even bartenders, use the drug by dropping it into the victim's beverage. Whether in an alcoholic drink, pop, or water, rohypnol dissolves quickly. Once the pill has dissolved and the contaminated drink consumed, the drug will start to take effect after about 20 minutes. The effects can last anywhere from eight to 24 hours.
