Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol)

What is it?

• Brand name: Rohypnol®; Trade name: Flunitrazepam
• Street names: “Roofies”, “roachies”, “forget pill”, “rope”, “La Roche”, “rophies”, “ruffies”, “R-2”, “Roach 2”, “Rib”, “papas”, “peanuts”, “pastas”
• Prescription benzodiazepine (for treatment of insomnia), 10 times more potent than diazepam (Valium®)
• Easily dissolvable, odorless, tasteless, now colours clear beverage blue or dark beverage murky
• Smuggled via mail or delivery service (Columbia and Mexico)
• In Canada, Rohypnol is Schedule IV under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act: it is not illegal to possess, but it is illegal to traffic, import and produce.
• Though it is difficult to say for certain, drug seizures and victim testing indicate that Rohypnol® is rare in Canada. However, the drug is becoming increasingly present in the United States, and its use may also increase in Canada.

Effects

• Appear “drunk” (slurred speech, weakness, staggering, reduced inhibition)
• Sedation
• Anxiolytic, muscle relaxation (can’t fend off attacker)
• Anterograde amnesia (prevents the victim from remembering events for several hours following initial ingestion)
• Anticonvulsant
• Potentiates effects of other drugs especially alcohol, marijuana or heroin. (Anglin, 1997)
• Action within 20 minutes and last up to 8 hours

Patterns of use

• Recreational: Adolescents, school, clubs, gangs
• Episodic: voluntary & involuntary
• Misuse / facilitate sexual assault
• Addictive / habitual
• Fast growing drug problem in USA
• Combination with other drugs (marijuana, alcohol)
• Oral, crushed: smoked, snorted, injected
• It can also be taken to decrease the after-effects of other drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy or amphetamines.

Adverse effects

• Decreased blood pressure
• Memory impairment
• Drowsiness
• Visual and motor disturbances
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• GI disturbances
• Urinary retention
• Addiction
• DEATH reported in combination with ALCOHOL

Withdrawal

• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Confusion
• Numbness / tingling
• Hallucinations
• Delirium
• Convulsions
• Shock

Ketamine, GHB and Flunitrazepam Summary

• No safe levels, risk of contamination
• Alcohol potentiates effect
• Risk of physical injury
• Risk of aspiration
• Risk of drug-facilitated sexual assault