New date rape drug

2002-07-23 21:53

Antoinette Pienaar

Johannesburg - Date rapists have apparently discovered a new tasteless and colourless narcotic with which they drug unsuspecting young people at clubs and then rape them without the victim having any recollection of the event.

The Pharmaceutical Society's Drugwise campaign has issued a warning to pharmacists to be on the lookout for people who abuse midazolam (Dormicum).

Until recently, rapists used flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) and other generic drugs.

After numerous complaints, Roche - the pharmaceutical manufacturer of both drugs - changed the composition of Rohypnol to such an extent that it no longer dissolves easily. When it is placed in a drink, it forms lumps and turns the liquid blue.

Pat Senne, spokesperson for Roche, says Dormicum is a sleeping drug just like Rohypnol.

The schedule-5 drug is used to cause amnesia in victims of brutal attacks.

Senne says Roche is very concerned about the new allegations. The company will consider changing the composition of Dormicum if it receives complaints of abuse.

Michelle Ginsberg, manager of Drugwise, says a victim cannot remember anything up to 20 minutes before he or she unwittingly took the drug. "He or she won't even remember meeting the rapist."

She says doctors doing duty at raves heard about the latest form of abuse first.

"First they used liquid ecstasy in a fluid form. With flunitrazepam the victim partly remembered the incident and became conscious now and then. Midazolam knocks the user out.

"We are receiving calls from parents whose children come home in a state and are not able to remember what had happened to them."

It is virtually impossible to prosecute the rapist, as a victim with no recollection makes a poor witness and traces of the substance quickly disappear from the bloodstream.

Bobby Hamman of Drugwise says Dormicum is "brilliant" when used for the correct purposes.

"It works much faster than Rohypnol. People who suspect that they had been drugged with this substance should have a blood test within 24 hours."

Drugwise says date rapists not only target women. A 16-year old boy recently arrived at the centre.

It appeared as if he had been raped and had several needle marks. He could not remember what had happened to him.

Drugwise again warned people not to leave their drinks unattended.

- Beeld