Date Rape

Additional Information

How can YOU avoid becoming a victim of rape under the influence of Rohypnol?

Here are a few suggestions for staying aware and alert:

- Be wary about accepting drinks from anyone you don't know well or long enough to trust. If you are accepting a drink, make sure it's from an unopened container and that you open it yourself.

- Don't put your drink down and leave it unattended, even to go to the restroom.

- Notify other females you know about the effects of this dangerous drug.

- If you think that you have been a victim, notify the authorities immediately.

Note:

There are other drugs that can be used in a date rape scene. However, Rohypnol is the most popularly used drug in date rape cases. Since about 1990, GHB (gamma-hydroxybutrate) has been abused in the U.S. for euphoric, sedative, and anabolic (bodybuilding) effects. As with Rohypnol, GHB has been associated with sexual assault in cites throughout the country. Common names include, "liquid ecstasy," "somatomax," "scoop," or "grievous bodily harm."

You can find out more about Rohypnol by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center (800-994-9662) or the following organizations:

National Institute on Drug Abuse Phone: (888) NIH-NIDA Internet Address: http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDAHome1.html

American Council for Drug Education Phone: (800) 488-3784 Internet Address: http://www.acde.org

American Society of Addiction Medicine Phone: (301) 656-3920 Internet Address: http://www.asam.org

Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse Phone: (401) 444-1817 Internet Address: http://www.amersa.org

This information was abstracted from fact sheets prepared by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (Rohypnol and GHB - http://165.112.78.61/Infofax/RohypnolGHB.html)