What is it?
Rohypnol is the brand name for a drug called Flunitrazepam, which is a powerful sedative. Rohypnol is not legally available for prescription in the United States, but is legal in 60 countries worldwide for treatment of insomnia.

What does it look like?
A small white tablet with no taste or odor when dissolved in a drink.

What are the street names/slang terms for it?
Roach, roofies, the forget pill, rope, rophies, ruffies, R2, roofenol, la roche, rib, date rape drug.

How is it used?
Rohypnol is swallowed as a pill, dissolved in a drink, or snorted.
Roofies are frequently used in combination with alcohol and other drugs. They are sometimes taken to enhance a heroin high, or to mellow or ease the experience of coming down from cocaine or crack high. Used with alcohol, roofies produce disinhibition and amnesia.

Roofies have recently gained a reputation as the "date rape" drug. Girls and women around the country have reported being raped after being involuntarily sedated with roofies, which were often slipped into their drink by an attacker. The drug has no taste or odor so the victims don't realize what is happening. About 10 minutes after ingesting the drug, the woman may feel dizzy and disoriented, simultaneously too hot and too cold, and nauseated. She may experience difficulty speaking and moving, and then pass out. Such a victim will have no memories of what happened while under the drug's influence.

What are its short-term effects?
The drug creates a sleepy, relaxed, and drunk feeling that lasts 2 to 8 hours. Other effects may include blackouts, with a compete loss of memory, dizziness and disorientation, nausea, difficulty with motor movements and speaking.

What are its long-term effects?
Rohypnol can produce physical and psychological dependence.