Rohypnol® (roofies) and GHB are central nervous system depressants.  Both drugs emerged in the early 1990’s as “drug-assisted assault” drugs.  In the news, these drugs are more commonly known as “date rape,” “drug rape” or “acquaintance rape” drugs. Due to the abuse of these drugs, Congress passed the “Drug-Induced Rape Prevention and Punishment Act of 1996” making it illegal to bring Rohypnol or GHB into the U.S.  The law also increased Federal penalties for use of any controlled substance to aid in sexual assault. 

Why is this important for you to know as a parent?  Whether your teen goes to a party or on a trip with friends, it is important that he/she is aware of roofies and GHB, how these drugs are used and how your teen can protect him/herself.  While often associated with alcoholic beverages, they can also be slipped into a non-alcoholic drink.  Here is some advice you can share with your teen:

1. Don’t drink anything that you did no see poured, open yourself or that someone else gave you (other than a waiter), no matter how good-looking they are.
    
2. Always watch your drink. If you leave it unattended for ANY amount of time, dump it and get a fresh drink.
    
3. Roofies and GHB may have a bitter taste when dissolved in a drink; be alert for a strange taste.
    
4. When placed in a light-colored drink, the newer roofies will turn the beverage blue. Dump it immediately and be especially alert.
    
5. Travel in groups.Three or more people is best. Friends should take care of friends and be observant of any strange behavior, such as slurred speech and lack of alertness.
    
6. If you think you have been drugged, ask for help IMMEDIATELY (preferably not from a stranger) and get yourself to a public place if you are not currently in one. You may have only a few minutes of alert behavior.
    
7. If you think a friend has been drugged, do not leave them alone. Seek help immediately.
    

(Some of these tips are reprinted with permission from Iona College. Additional information on this page is from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, NIDA InfoFacts Report: Rohypnol and GHB, June 2004.)

Information provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.