'Roofies' and the real world

Medicines are created and used for treating and/or preventing diseases. Some, though fortunately very few, are misused for recreational motives or for actions that go against the will of the targeted victim. This often involves sexual abuse and when it comes to Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault, Rohypnol is one of the leading substances. 

There is obviously a need to increase awareness among youths and adults who may be exposed to risks of predator rape, as DFSA is sometimes known. The considerable health consequences, which include loss of life, must also be made known, as prevention is the only effective way to avoid being affected. 

Rohypnol, the name by which the generic flunitrazepam is known, is an oral psychotropic medicine approved in many countries, including Thailand and belongs to the same benzodiazepine class as the tranquilliser Valium. It is indicated for pre-surgery anaesthesia due to its sedative and muscle relaxing effects and, because of its strong hypnotic effect, for the short-term treatment of severe insomnia. Highly potent, the medicine can lead to rapid dependence or addiction – in many cases, after just one month of treatment - as well as tolerance, meaning there will be a need to increase the dose to obtain the same effect. Rohypnol is not approved by the US FDA but is smuggled in from neighbouring nations and thus relatively easy to obtain. 

Flunitrazepam specialities (original or copies) are mostly available in small tablet form. They can dissolve easily in any drink and are invisible, without odour and without changing the taste of the beverage. Some preparations might have a dye but dropped in a dark drink in a darkened place, will not be noticeable.

The undesirable side effects of Rohypnol are frequent and vary markedly depending on each individual’s sensibility to the molecule. More importantly, the drug effects and side effects are rendered dramatically more potent by the concomitant absorption of |alcohol. This is why serious side effects are frequently observed among people who have unintentionally ingested Rohypnol during parties in nightlife establishments or during raves. 

The effects of the drug are rapid, kicking in 15 to 30 minutes and reaching maximal effect within 2 to 3 hours. In some cases, they may last 12 and even up to 24 hours.

Undesirable effects include headache, abdominal cramps, vomiting, blurred vision, slurred speech and dizziness and as such mimic the initial signs of alcohol intoxication. 

Later on, more severe symptoms may occur with a drop in blood pressure, tremors and possibly aggressive behaviour. In some cases, depending on the quantity of drug and alcohol absorbed as well as the person’s susceptibility to both compounds, the condition may unpredictably worsen to major respiratory distress, coma and eventually death. 

In addition, flunitrazepam leads to anterograde amnesia or blackout, which means that the person is unable to remember what happened after being drugged. Because of these side effects, Rohypnol is known on the street as the Mind-Eraser, forget-me pill, date-rape drug, Trip-and-fall, Roofies and Rufilin, the latter being used in the much-publicised “Hangover” movie, which featured a happy ending unlikely to happen in the real world. 

When facing a suspected ingestion of a Rohypnol-alcohol mixture, it is wise to immediately bring the person to a hospital emergency room before the drug reaches its peak effects. The drug may be detected in the urine for up to 60 hours.

Prevention lies in broad awareness and common sense behaviour such as going to parties with trusted friends and watching out for each other. 

As a Rohypnol-added cocktail keeps the same taste, |appearance and smell as a normal drink, ready-made beverage from strangers or opened drinks must always be declined. With such precautions, nightlife becomes a pleasure and not a nightmare.

 

Dr Gerard Lalande is managing director of CEO-Health, which provides medical referrals for expatriates and customised executive medical check-ups in Thailand. He can be contacted at [email protected]