(15 Aug 1996) English/Na
Police in California say they are powerless to stop the spread of a drug that makes “date rape” all too easy.
The sedative Rohypnol, also known by street name “roofies”, sells for just a few dollars and can sedate a person for hours.
The Los Angeles Police Department has been told by state legislators that it could be a year before the drug, made by Hoffmann-La Roche, is listed as a dangerous narcotic.
By 10 o’clock in the morning, drug pushers are already dealing on street corners in downtown Los Angeles.
Many are selling “roofies”, a powerful sedative known as Rohypnol.
Although the drug has been linked to several “date rapes”, police in California cannot arrest dealers because the drug is still not listed as a controlled narcotic.
They can confiscate the pills but the dealer walks free.
SOUNDBITE:
This drug is a very potent sedative that is 10 times the strength of Valium and in several cases its been used by men on women and they have committed rape on these women. If you consume one of these ‘roofies’ within 15 to 20 minutes you are going to be sound asleep for about eight hours. Also it causes amnesia which makes very poor witnesses of these victims that end up being raped as a result of taking a roofie.
SUPER CAPTION: Lieutenant Bernie Larralde, Narcotics Section Los Angeles Police Department
Rohypnol is legally available for severe insomnia in more than 60 countries, including neighbouring Mexico.
Most of the “roofies” sold on American streets have been illegally smuggled across the border.
Once inside the U-S, the drug sells for two to three U-S dollars a pill.
It’s popular with teenagers who use it for an inexpensive “high”.
But police fear its use in “date rape” is underestimated because of the confusion it causes when secretly dropped into a girl’s drink.
SOUNDBITE
How do you just pick up the phone and call the police and say ‘well, I think something happened but I really don’t know who or what or why?’ That is a very embarrassing situation to be in and we have to get across to victims that that is typical: you still have to come forward and call us as that 36 hours is critical.
SUPER CAPTION: Detective Trinka Porrata, Narcotics, LAPD
After 36 hours both the rape and the presence of Rohypnol are difficult to test for.
Los Angeles Police want California to make roofies a category one narcotic, but it could be a year before they get such legislation.
Hoffmann-La Roche argues the drug has legitimate sedative value in medicine and says it is used beneficially by one (m) million people around the world every day.
However the U-S Senate recently held hearings to consider ways of cracking down on the drug.
While the authorities wait, the dealers continue to cash in – safe in the knowledge it will not land them in prison.
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