Rohypnol, a trade name for the drug flunitrazepam, is a central
nervous system depressant. The drug is legally manufactured and
available outside the United States but is neither manufactured nor
approved for sale within the United States. Since the 1990s
individuals in the United States have used Rohypnol illegally, often
as a means of mitigating the depression that results from using
stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine. Rohypnol also has been
used in the commission of sexual assaults.
What does Rohypnol look like?
Rohypnol is manufactured as a caplet. In 1997 the manufacturer
responded to concerns about the drug's role in sexual assaults by
reformulating the white, 2-milligram tablets. (The original tablets
dissolved clear in liquid, making it nearly impossible for a victim to
detect their presence in a beverage.) The new smaller dosage
(0.5 mg and 1.0 mg) caplets are dull green with a blue core
that, when dissolved in light-colored drinks, will dye the liquid
blue. However, the dye may be disguised in blue or dark-colored
liquids, and generic versions of the drug may not contain the blue
dye.
How is Rohypnol abused?
Individuals who abuse Rohypnol may swallow the caplets whole, crush
and then snort the powdered caplets, or dissolve the caplets in liquid
and then inject the solution. Sexual predators who administer Rohypnol
to their victims typically slip the drug into a drink, often at a bar
or party. The blue color that results from mixing Rohypnol with a
beverage often is masked by serving blue tropical drinks or by serving
the drink in dark or opaque containers.
The effects of the drug typically are felt within 15 to 20 minutes
of administration and may persist for more than 12 hours.
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Teenagers and young adults, primarily individuals aged 13 to 30,
are the principal users of Rohypnol, and most users are male. The drug
is popular on high school and college campuses and at raves and
nightclubs.
Rohypnol use among high school students is a particular problem.
Nearly 2 percent of high school seniors in the United States used
Rohypnol at least once in the past year, according to the University
of Michigan's Monitoring the Future Survey.
What are the risks?
Individuals who abuse Rohypnol often experience drowsiness,
headaches, memory impairment, dizziness, nightmares, confusion, and
tremors. Although the drug is classified as a depressant, Rohypnol can
induce aggression or excitability.
In addition to the risks associated with the drug itself,
individuals who use Rohypnol may put themselves at risk of sexual
assault. While many sexual predators lace unsuspecting victims' drinks
with the drug, others offer Rohypnol to victims who consume the drug
without understanding the effects it will produce.
Rohypnol users who inject the drug expose themselves to additional
risks, including contracting HIV (human immunodeficiency virus),
hepatitis B and C, and other blood-borne viruses.
The most common names for Rohypnol are forget-me drug, roche,
roofies, and ruffles. (Please see the Street Terms text box for
additional names.)
Street Terms for Rohypnol
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Circles
Forget-me pill
Forget pill
La rocha
Lunch money drug
Mexican valium
Pingus
R-2 |
Reynolds
Roach-2
Roaches
Roachies
Roapies
Robutal
Rochas dos
Rope |
Rophies
Rophy
Ropies
Roples
Row-shay
Ruffies
Wolfies |
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Is Rohypnol illegal in the United States?
Yes, Rohypnol is illegal in the United States. Rohypnol is a
Schedule IV substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule IV
drugs are considered to have a lower potential for abuse but still can
lead to limited physical or psychological dependence. In addition, in
1997 the U. S. Sentencing Commission increased the penalties
associated with the possession, trafficking, and distribution of
Rohypnol to those of a Schedule I substance. (Schedule I substances
include heroin, marijuana, and MDMA.)
Other products of interest:
Check out Fast Facts on:
- Crack cocaine
- Crystal methamphetamine
- Drug paraphernalia
- DXM
- Foxy
- Fry
- GHB and analogs
- Heroin
- Inhalants
- Jimsonweed
- Ketamine
- Khat
- LSD
- Marijuana
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- MDMA
- Methadone
- Methamphetamine
- OxyContin
- PCP
- Powdered cocaine
- Prescription drugs
- Psilocybin
- Ritalin
- Salvia divinorum
- Steroids
- Teens and drugs
- Triple C
- Yaba
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Also available from NDIC:
- Huffing--The Abuse of Inhalants
- Prescription Drug Abuse and Youth
- Drugs, Youth, and the Internet
For more information on illicit drugs check out our web site at:
www.usdoj.gov/ndic. Call 814-532-4541 to request NDIC products.
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319 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Johnstown , PA 15901-1622
Telephone: 814-532-4601
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8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1001
McLean , VA 22102-3840
Telephone: 703-556-8970
FAX: 703-556-7807
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