University to test for Rohypnol

Anyone at the University who believes they may have been sexually assaulted as a result of being slipped the "date rape drug" can now be tested free of charge at University Health Services.

"As with other procedures related to medical treatment of sexual assault cases, there will be no charge for this test," Koons wrote in an E-mail message.

The test is provided by Hoffmann-La Roche, the company that manufactures Rohypnol, as part of its plan to curtail the use of the drug in sexual assaults, said company spokeswoman Carolyn Glynn.

"If there are women who have been potentially drugged, and they suspect Rohypnol or anything else, they should immediately contact someone," she said. "The test will work up to 72 hours after ingesting the medication. The ideal window is up to 48 hours."

Victims can also call 800-720-1076 for more information from the company about the drug.

Although Rohypnol is illegal in the United States, it is prescribed in Mexico and 63 other countries to treat sleep, anxiety and panic disorders. The drug often makes its way into the United States through Mexico, Glynn said.

The drug, which is often called "roofies" on the street, is suspected to have been slipped to at least 10 students this fall. Not all the students were sexually assaulted.

The drug dissolves easily in beverages, leaving little taste. When ingested, it loosens the inhibitions of the victim, who often then has total amnesia for eight to 10 hours.To prevent this scenario from happening, Hoffmann-La Roche is now looking at introducing taste or color into the drug and creating a tablet that would dissolve more slowly in liquid. Those changes would give people a better chance of detecting Rohypnol if it were covertly slipped in their drink, Glynn said.

"We're working to make it more identifiable, but something people can still take if they need it," she said.

The company is reducing the number of national distributors in Mexico from 200 to 16 and also eliminated all direct sales to pharmacies, Glynn said.

"As a company, we are committed to developing and implementing effective programs that will deter the misuse of legitimate prescription medicines," she said. "We are committed to addressing this problem responsibly."