The Pendulum
NEWS
Thursday, February 12, 2004 •Page 11
Date-rape drug Rohypnol
more potent than Valium
Ashley Feibish
Asst. News Editor
It’s tasteless, odorless and blends into your
drink. It’s 10 times more potent than Valium.
Often called roofies, Mexican Valium, or rope,
Rohypnol, a central nervous
system depressant, is a “date-
rape” drug. Gamma hydroxy-
butyrate (GHB) is also used as
a date rape drug. Known as
goop or liquid ecstasy, its
effects are similar to those-
induced by Rohypnol. Both
drugs were originally pre
scribed as sleep aids and relax-
ants in Europe and Latin
America.
Rohypnol can be ingested
orally, snorted or injected. Its
effects begin within 15 to 20
minutes of ingestion and can
last for up to 12 hours.
Rohypnol is detectable for up
to 72 hours after ingestion. Rohypnol’s
effects, which are intensified by alcohol,
include confusion, drowsiness, nausea, slurred
speech, blurred vision, respiratory problems
and dizziness. Victims under the influence of
Rohypnol often experience amnesia and are
unable to resist sexual attacks, eaming
Rohypnol the nickname of “date-rape drug.”
Rohypnol’s manufacturer, Hoflfman-
LaRoche Inc., has increased the dissolving
time of the drug to 45 minutes and designed it
to form a white film when placed in drinks.
The newest version turns drinks a blue color.
However, old pills continue to circulate.
Popular because of its low cost (about $5) and
difficulty to detect, it is shipped to the United
States from foreign countries.
“Most of it [Rohypnol] comes from
Mexico,” said Dan Ingle, an investigator for
Campus Safety and Police.
Kitty Parish, director of healtli services,
asks students to always have a friend with
them at social functions.
“It’s certainly in the area,” she said. “We’d
like to think no one on this campus would ever
do this — but you never know.”
If you feel you have been the victim of
date-rape, it is important to go to a health care
provider immediately, Parish said.
“If someone is raped because of the drug,
we prescribe emergency contraceptives. It is
only effective if people are educated because
the drug needs to be administered within 120
hours. We have about 85 cases of emergency
contraceptives a month,” said Pamela Jones, a
field operations coordinator at Planned
Parenthood in Greensboro. Jones said it is
unclear how many are the result of drug-facil
itated rape. Jones also said emergency contra
ceptives are in the process of becoming over-
the-counter drugs.
Drug-facilitated rape is sec
ond-degree rape and a Class ‘C’
felony. If convicted, one can
face up to 20 years in prison and
a $250,000 fine. According to
Robert Farb’s book on North
Carolina crimes, “the statue
does not require that the defen
dant be the one who made the
victim mentally incapacitated or
physically helpless.” Simply
put, Ingle said, “If someone
spiked your drink and someone
else committed the act - the
statue still applies.”
If you are the victim of rape,
you have the right to anonymity.
“Planned Parenthood plays an
educator’s role in private and personal deci
sion making and maintains a non-judgmental
atmosphere,” Jones said.
“Peer pressure and social stigmatism caus
es victims to worry and that’s a tragedy itself,”
Ingle said. “The victim has the right to decide
whether to prosecute or not, however, if [med
ical authorities] suspect drugs, they will con
tact the authorities.”
Because victims generally will wait a
lengthy period of time before reporting the
crime, there is destmction of physical evi
dence. This is why it is crucial victims seek
help immediately.
“It’s a very traumatic experience. I recom
mend counseling — Crossroads [Sexual
Assault Response and Resource Center] is an
outstanding oiganization,” Ingle said.
Whenever you attend a function with alco
hol present, always take a buddy and never
accept a drink fi-om someone you do not know
or trust, Ingle said. Never take your eyes off of
your drink and contact authorities immediate
ly if you feel you have been victimized.
For more information on Rohypnol or
GHB, visit the Nation Women’s Health
Information Center at http://www.4women.
gov/faq /rohypnol-htm.
If you have been the victim of rape or sex
ual assault and need help or just need someone
to talk to, contact Crossroads at 228-0360.
Contact Ashley Feibish at
pendutum@elon.edu or 278-7247.
Housing
Selection 2004
is coming
soon...
Beginning on
February 26...
Housing selection
Materials will be
mailed to your
campus box!
We encourage you
to take some time to
look over the materials
and familiarize yourself
with yoior options.
For more information, log onto our site:
www^lnnj81.i/«iTl^ffltlife/geleetion2004
Office of Residence Life, Moseley 213