Been gone for a week, and still catching up. I'll be back around here in a day or so, hopefully.
Today I've been trying to get caught on the personal, professional, and blogereffional, and one question keeps occuring to me while reading threads like this: why isn't anyone asking about roofies?
Rohypnol is a brand name for flunitrazepam (a benzodiazepine), a very potent tranquilizer similar in nature to valium (diazepam), but many times stronger. The drug produces a sedative effect, amnesia, muscle relaxation, and a slowing of psychomotor responses. Sedation occurs 20-30 minutes after administration and lasts for several hours.
I am not a believer in the "court of public opinion" for criminal cases, which is why I have not been interested in commenting on this case. However, as I sat in my hotel room and watch the storm of news from Fox, to CNN, to MSNBC, not one, in the discussion of the security guard finding the alleged victim passed out in a car, considered the possibility that she had been under the influence of the date rape drug of choice. I know several young women who believe that they have been "roofied," and their description of the effect is very similar to being extremely drunk, even though they had only consumed part of one drink.
The drug has been added to punch and other drinks at fraternity parties and college social gatherings, where it is reportedly given to female party participants in hopes of lowered inhibitions and facilitating potential sexual conquest. Police departments in several parts of the country say that after ingestion of "Roofies" that several young women have reported waking up in frat houses with no clothes on, finding themselves in unfamiliar surroundings with unfamiliar people, or having actually been sexually assaulted while under the influence of the drug.
As insidious, disgusting and perilous as this may sound, the dangers don't stop there. Besides the worries of unprotected sex, Rohypnol, particularly when mixed with alcohol or other drugs may lead to respiratory depression, aspiration, and even death.
Again, speculation is useless, as only the evidence and trial will bring the situation to light. Even then, there may be events that never are explained. Therefore, interpret my comment as being about the commentary, not the case itself.
Posted by binky at April 15, 2006 01:19 PM | TrackBack | Posted to Blogorama