Rohypnol alert!

I bet that everyone has heard the word 'Rohypnol', and been warned of the dangers of leaving a drink ungarded in a bar or club. Do you pay attention? If not you are unwittingly putting yourself at risk!

This is the story of a friend, who was lucky...

Last evening Friday she was drinking in a pub in London when, "my drink, along with a couple of others were spiked with what the doctors assume was Rohypnal or some sleeping tablet."
"I had drunk 4 glasses of wine in a 2 hour period and by 11.15pm I had absolutely no memory of the rest of the evening. I do remember feeling incredibly sleepy and out of control - as if I was very drunk. Emma (who was also spiked) was unable to walk at one point and tried to go to sleep in Parsons Green - fortunately she was brought home. Luckily I was with Charlie who was aware of my "unusual" behaviour but I, and the others I was with assumed my behviour was alcohol related."
The following day, when we pieced together the evening, we realised that we had both left our drinks unattended for at least 20 minutes and following a visit to the hospital the parrallels
were drawn."
"Although I have no recollection, I was apparently approached by a guy who was chatting to me for a while... I signalled to Charlie to help me out and he fortunately came to the rescue - I don't remember this at all."
We did report this to the bar and also to the Police. The bar are checking the CCTV and hopefully we will be able to draw attention to whothe person maybe although in a packed bar it may not be so easy.
"Upmakret" bars and pubs are apparently typical places where these freaks hang out and target their victims. We were incredibly lucky but had I not been with Charlie I don't know what might have happened and can only assume."
Be warned and don't leave your drinks unattended. It's incredibly easy to do and the side effects are very similar to being very drunk althogh you don't wake up with a hangover!"
It is worth passing this on - I have been dubious of such stories in the past but on first hand experience, knowledge is valuable.Be safe!"

Have you or any of your friends suffered a similar experience?

Rohypnol facts

Rohypnol has been around since the 1970s. It is the tradename for flunitrazepam, a benzodiazepine (central nervous system depressant) like valium, but 10 times more potent. It is prescibed in some countries as a short-term treatment for severe sleep disorders.

With street names such as 'forget-me pill', 'getting roached' and 'mexican valium', Rohypnol became popular among clubbers in the 90s, as a means of counteracting the effects of a 'come-down' after stimulant use. It then made its mark as a 'date-rape' drug.

Both colourless and odourless, the effects kick in within 15-20 minutes, and can last for more than 12 hours. It is the most popular date-rape drug, over Ketamine and alcohol, having the capacity to mentally and physically paralyse its victims.

Ketamine slows the body's pyscho motor performance. It causes decreased blood pressure, muscle relaxation, severe drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, tremors, nightmares, memory impairments and amnesia. Although a depressant it can also cause agression and exciteability.

Prescribed Rohypnol now comes in the form of a blue-dyed pill as a counter measure to date-rape, but the old variety are still in circulation.

Advice is to be aware:
1)Never leave your drink unattended.
2)Drink from a glass
3)Be wary of coloured cocktails (especially the blue variety)
4)Make sure you know where your friends are.

Rohypnol stays in the urine for upto 72 hours, so if you think you have had your drink spiked, go and take the test!