EPH Notes...

Date Rape Drug

Rohypnol®, "the Date Rape Drug" is in the area.

What is Rohypnol®?

  • A benzodiazepine related to Valium® and used in many countries to induce sleep
  • Illegal in the U.S. In the near future it will be placed legally in the same category as heroin
  • Strongly sedating and sleep inducing.
  • Strong effect on memory. (May have memory loss for several hours after ingestion.)
  • Effects are markedly increased when combined with alcohol.
  • Tasteless and odorless. Dissolves readily in liquid.
  • Also called: Roachies, La Rocha, Rope, Rib Roche, Roofies, Mexican Valium, R-2, Ralph, and Roach-2 (not to be confused with marijuana).
  • White tablet with "Roche" and a circled 1 or 2 on one side, and a scored cross on the other.
  • Has been used to make women and men vulnerable to crimes (rape, assault, robbery, etc.) and unable to remember the event (amnesia).

How does it act?

  • Produces drowsiness in 20-30 minutes with maximum effect at about 2 hours.
  • Effects last up to 6-8 hours.
Other side effects include:
  1. Impaired motor skills
  2. Impaired judgment
  3. Lack of inhibitions
  4. Dizziness
  5. Confusion
  6. Amnesia
Symptoms of overdose include:
  1. Mental Confusion
  2. Lethargy
  3. Poor Coordination
  4. Reduced reflexes
  5. Dangerously low blood pressure
  6. Coma and death

What can you do?

Women:
  • Know the person who you're out with
  • Carefully monitor your own alcohol use and who has access to your drink
  • Don't exploit other people or place yourself in a position to be exploited
  • Know that the use of Rohypnol to incapacitate another person carries serious legal consequences
       Men:
  • Take a strong stand against this behavior
  • Carefully monitor you own alcohol use and who has access to your drink
  • Don't exploit other people for personal or sexual gain
  • Know that the use of Rohypnol to incapacitate another person carries serious legal consequences

For more information about Rohypnol
Call the Health Center
x 2206

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KeEP Healthy - Williams College Health Center, ext. 2206