Rohypnol
(flunitrazepam)
1
2
Rohypnol
(flunitrazepam), most commonly known as a date-rape
drug, continues to be abused among teenagers and
young adults, usually at raves and nightclubs. The
drug remains readily available, mainly through pharmaceutical
operators located in Mexico, especially Tijuana.
Rohypnol is marketed by Hoffman-La Roche Inc.,
and is legally sold in Latin America and Europe
as a short-term treatment for insomnia, and as
a preanesthetic medication. One of the significant
effects of the drug is anterograde amnesia, a
factor that strongly contributed to its inclusion
in the Drug-Induced Rape Prevention and Punishment
Act of 1996. Anterograde amnesia is a condition
in which events that occurred while under the
influence of the drug are forgotten.
Rohypnol is available as a .5-milligram and 1-milligram
oblong tablet, as well as a 1-milligram per milliliter
injectable solution. Hoffman-La Roche phased out
the 2-milligram dose tablet from 1996 to 1997,
and is currently phasing out the round, white
1-milligram tablet. The licit market for the drug
is currently supplied with a 1-milligram dose
in an olive green, oblong tablet, imprinted with
the number 542. The new tablet includes a dye
that, according to Hoffman-La Roche, will be visible
if it is slipped into a drink. Reports indicate
that Rohypnol is often sold for between $2 and
$5 per dosage unit, although it may sell for from
$10 to $30 per dosage unit.
(flunitrazepam)
1
2
Rohypnol
(flunitrazepam), most commonly known as a date-rape
drug, continues to be abused among teenagers and
young adults, usually at raves and nightclubs. The
drug remains readily available, mainly through pharmaceutical
operators located in Mexico, especially Tijuana.
Rohypnol is marketed by Hoffman-La Roche Inc.,
and is legally sold in Latin America and Europe
as a short-term treatment for insomnia, and as
a preanesthetic medication. One of the significant
effects of the drug is anterograde amnesia, a
factor that strongly contributed to its inclusion
in the Drug-Induced Rape Prevention and Punishment
Act of 1996. Anterograde amnesia is a condition
in which events that occurred while under the
influence of the drug are forgotten.
Rohypnol is available as a .5-milligram and 1-milligram
oblong tablet, as well as a 1-milligram per milliliter
injectable solution. Hoffman-La Roche phased out
the 2-milligram dose tablet from 1996 to 1997,
and is currently phasing out the round, white
1-milligram tablet. The licit market for the drug
is currently supplied with a 1-milligram dose
in an olive green, oblong tablet, imprinted with
the number 542. The new tablet includes a dye
that, according to Hoffman-La Roche, will be visible
if it is slipped into a drink. Reports indicate
that Rohypnol is often sold for between $2 and
$5 per dosage unit, although it may sell for from
$10 to $30 per dosage unit.
