What
are Club Drugs?
Club drugs (also sometimes called Dance Drugs or Designer Drugs)
are drugs which at one time were found most frequently in night
clubs and at raves, but have since become some of the fastest growing
drugs used by college students. These drugs include MDMA (ecstasy,
E, or X), ketamine
(special K), GHB
(liquid ecstasy, somatomax, scoop, Georgia Home Boy,
grievous bodily harm), and crystal methamphetamine (speed, crank,
crystal, tina).
What
is Rohypnol?
Rohypnol (flunitrazepam), also known as roofies, is a sedative in
the same recreational drug family as
GHB and ketamine
and the same prescription drug family as Valium, Halcion,
Xanax, and Versed. It is a white tablet which is scored on one side.
On the other side, the manufacturers name (ROCHE) is imprinted above
the number 1 or 2 (indicating the milligram dosage).
Rohypnol
is best known as a date
rape drug, though it has gained popularity as a recreational
drug. Colorless and odorless, it has been linked to numerous incidents
of sexual assault because it is a fast-acting sleeping pill that
can be slipped into a drink and leave the victim with little or
no memory of the incident. The drug has been changed to leave telltale
blue floating particles when mixed with liquids. If you see these
in your drink, do not drink it. Get help and notify Police and Security
immediately at 401.863-4111.
How
is Rohypnol used?
Rohypnol is generally taken in pill form (it is rarely crushed and
snorted). Rohypnol is extremely powerful (about 5 times as powerful
as Valium). Even a small dose can affect the user for 8 to 12 hours.
Why
do people take Rohypnol?
Though it is illegal in the United States, Rohypnol is a legal pharmaceutical
sleeping pill in 60 countries. Like all sedatives, it reduces anxiety,
induces sleep and depresses the central nervous system. At low doses,
Rohypnol produces intoxication, muscle relaxation, and sedative-hypnotic
effects lasting 2 to 8 hours. Many users combine Rohypnol with alcohol.
Combining sedatives with alcohol can slow breathing and heart rate.
At higher doses, the body shuts down and breathing stops.
Are
there short-term risks to taking Rohypnol?
Amnesia is the most common side-effect of Rohypnol. Other common
side effects include:
Relaxation
or sedation of the body
Risk
of sexual assault
Rapid
mood swings and violent outbursts of temper
Breathing
and heart rate slow down to dangerous levels
Comas
and seizures (especially when combined with amphetamines)
Vomiting
and headache
Difficulty
breathing and nausea.
Harsh
withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, tremors and sweating.
Memory
loss
Death
Overdose
is a very real possibility when Rohypnol is combined with alcohol
or any other sedating drug. Rohypnol also severely impairs a user's
ability to drive or operate machinery.
Are
there long-term consequences to taking Rohypnol?
General learning can be affected when sedatives like Rohypnol are
taken for prolonged periods. It also causes physical and psychological
dependence when used regularly (see below).
Is
Rohypnol addictive?
Rohypnol is addictive; and habitual use, even for just a few weeks,
can lead to physical and psychological dependence. Significant tolerance
to Rohypnol can also develop. Sudden withdrawal is dangerous because
the central nervous system has adapted to the drug's effects. It's
important to seek medical help if you are addicted to Rohypnol because
of the dangerous withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can occur a
week or more after cessation of use and may include:
Headache
and muscle pain
Extreme
anxiety, tension, restlessness, confusion, and irritability
Numbness
and tingling of the extremities
Hallucinations,
delirium, convulsions, seizures or shock
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