‘Date Rape’ Drug Shows Up In Spokane ‘We Do Know There Are Some Unofficial Cases In Spokane,’ Says Crisis Line Worker
The “date rape” drug is showing up in Spokane, prompting police and rape crisis counselors to launch efforts to warn women.
Experts say Rohypnol - also known as “roofies,” “R-2s,” “rib,” “rope” and “the club drug” - is a potent sedative that can render someone unconscious for up to 12 hours.
When ingested, it produces a drunk then sleepy feeling that can lead to loss of consciousness and temporary paralysis, said Stephanie Van Marter of the Spokane Police Department.
“It’s pretty wicked,” said Susan Fabrikant of Spokane’s Lutheran Social Services sexual assault center.
Rohypnol is highly addictive, but it is the drug’s potential to lead to sexual assaults that most alarms officials.
Police in other parts of the country, especially the South, have reported cases of “roofie rape,” where a man slips the odorless, colorless, tasteless drug into a woman’s drink and sexually assaults her when the pill takes effect.
The federal Drug Enforcement Administration reports that there are 2,400 criminal investigations connected to the drug nationwide.
There are no confirmed cases of Rohypnol-aided rapes in Spokane, but authorities believe roofies are trickling into the area.
Over the past six months, nearly a dozen Spokane-area women have shown up at rape crisis centers or local emergency rooms showing signs of ingesting Rohypnol, said Van Marter, a computer data analyst and rape crisis line worker.
“We do know there are some unofficial cases in Spokane. We do know that the kids know about it,” Van Marter said.
Spokane law enforcement agencies and women’s groups are trying to inform women of the dangers of Rohypnol before its use becomes widespread in the Inland Northwest. Pamphlets about the drug are available at police stations and sexual assault centers.
“We’re real concerned with the colleges starting up again, with all the parties,” Fabrikant said. “I think it would be very devastating for a woman to wake up and not even know if she’s been raped.”
It is illegal to produce, sell or possess Rohypnol in the United States.
The small, white pills are manufactured overseas and used legally in about 60 countries to treat insomnia.
They are smuggled into the United States from Europe and South America and usually sell for $3 to $5 a pill.
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: DON’T GET SLIPPED A MICKEY Because Rohypnol is odorless, tasteless and colorless, it is impossible to know if a pill has been slipped into a drink. Authorities offer the following tips to protect yourself: Never accept a drink from a stranger at a bar or party. Order sealed drinks like bottled beer, soda or wine coolers that you can open yourself. Or watch the bartender make your drink. Never leave your drink unattended. Take your beverage to the restroom with you or leave it with a friend you can trust. Use the “buddy system.” Let friends know where you are and never leave a party without accounting for them. Be suspicious of punch at parties. Someone may spike one bowl with Rohypnol and serve it only to women.