Lafayette Education
on Alcohol & Drugs

Drug & Alcohol Information

Facts You Should Know

Rapists are using a new weapon to overpower their victims. The weapon is drugs, like Rohypnol and GHB. These drugs are silent and invisible -- when hidden in a drink, they may be completely undetectable. Yet, they are potent and destructive. They can seriously harm or kill you.

What is GHB?

GHB is gamma-hydroxybutyrate. It has been testet for potential medical uses in the USA. It has NEVER been approved for use outside of FDA research trials.

What are GHB's effects?

GHB is a powerful synthetic drug that acts as a depressant. The drug will usually take effect within the first 15 minutes. GHB has serveral effects similar to Rohypnol, but can also include nausea, vomiting, seizures and amnesia.

WARNING: GHB and alcohol drastically increase each other's effects and can be deadly. Never mix the two.

What is Rohypnol?

Rohypnol is the brand name for flunitrazepam, a benzodiazepine drug. It is similar to Valium, but about 10 times as strong. Rohypnol has NEVER been approved for any medical use in the United States.

Rohypnol tablets are white and are single or cross scored on one side with "ROCHE" and "1" or "2" encircled on the other. Rohypnol rapidly dissolves in any liquid and is odorless and tasteless. Recently the tablets produced in the U.S. have been reformulated to produce a bluish tint when mixed with light liquids (cloudy apperance in dark liquids). However, foreign produced Rohypnol would still be colorless.

What are Rohypnol's effects?

Rohypnol is a fast-acting sedative. It causes drowsiness, confusion, impaired motor skills, dizziness, disinhibition, impaired judgement, and reduced levels of consciousness. Someone under the influence of Rohypnol may appear to be very intoxicated (disproportionately to the amount of alcohol they have consumed).

It is extremely dangerous to mix Rohypnol with alcohol or other drugs. The combination may produce difficulty breathing, coma, or even death!

One of the most serious and disturbing effects of Rohypnol is that it can cause partial or complete amnesia for the events that take place before of after it is ingested.

You May Have Been Drugged If You

• Feel disproportionately intoxicated for the level of alcohol consumed
• Feel extremely hung over or "Fuzzy"
• Experience a memory lapse
• Feel like someone had sex with you, but can't remember any or all of the incident

If You Suspect You've Been Drugged:

• Get to a safe place and get help immediately
• Ask a trusted friend to stay with you
• Call Public Safety (x5333) and request medical care immediately
• Go to a hospital emergency department as soon as possible for evidence collection and request that the hospital take a urine sample to test for drugs
• To preserve as much evidence as possible do not - urinate, shower, bathe, douche, or throw away any clothing

Don't Let Your Guard Down...

• DO bring your own drinks to parties
• DO open or pour your own drink or watch it being made
• DO look for anything unusual about your drink (unusual color, taste, appearance, residue, etc)
• DO watch your drink and bring it with you wherever you go
• DO discard your drink if it has been unattended or appears to have been tampered with
• DO avoid sharing drinks or common containers
• DO drink responsibly and stay alert of your surroundings - remember, alcohol is still the most commollly used date rape drug

Watch Out For Your Friends

• DO appoint a designated sober person or buddy when you go out
• DO periodically check up on your friends when at parties or bars
• DO remind friends to watch their drinks and stay alert
• DO take immediate steps to ensure your friend's safety if he or she appears to have been drugged

If you suspect that you or a friend have been drugged, you can be tested Rohypnol and some other drugs can be detected in urine for about three days after digestion. However, the sooner someone is tested, the better. This test is available at most hospitals and some rape crisis centers.

For More Information Contact:

Public Safety Office Emergency	330-5330 5333
Bailey Heath Center	330-5001
August House Inc. Sexual Abuse and Assault	253-1055
Crime Victims Council of Lehigh Valley	437-6611

For more information contact the advisor of LEAD (Lafayette Education on Alcohol
& Drugs) at 250-5007

Want to learn more check out the links below:

• 12 Questions Only You Can Answer
• Alcohol Absorption By Body
• Drinking Responsibly
• Facts You Should Know
• How Can I Help A Friend?
• Top Ten Ways to Turn Down A Drink