College students facing the stress of campus life may sometimes turn to drugs or alcohol to relieve that tension. Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol can have the adverse affect of causing depression, which in turn, can lead to more abuse. Some college students choose to abuse certain forms of antidepressants or tranquilizers as well as alcohol and illegal drugs.

A Risky Drug

One of the most popular tranquilizing drugs among college students is rohypnol, more commonly known as roofies. Roofies is the date rape drug of choice. The drug is a very potent tranquilizer that acts similarly to valium, a prescription anti anxiety medication. But roofies is many times stronger in action and effect than valium. The sedative effect of roofies takes about 20 to 30 minutes to kick in and lasts for several hours.

Along with the sedative effect comes amnesia, muscle relaxation, and a slower response time among those who take the drug. The drug is not commonly used in the United States or prescribed by doctors, but is sold on the streets in bubble packaging to give the appearance of legitimacy. People who abuse roofies often take the drug in conjunction with alcohol, marijuana, coke, or other drugs to produce a more exhilarating and rapid high. Even students who use the drug alone appear to be intoxicated, with bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and an abnormal gait.

One of the biggest concerns about roofies is that the drug has been used as a date rape drug. For example, the drug is sometimes added to fruit punch or other drinks at fraternity parties or social gatherings to enable the men to come on to the women. Women may awake and not be aware they were raped or made to have unprotected sex until it was too late.

Besides the worries of rape and the dangers of unprotected sex, the drug can be extremely dangerous when mixed with other medications or alcohol. The combination can lead to respiratory depression, aspiration, dependence, or even death. The amnesia affect of the drug often prevents its victims from remembering who gave it to them or what happened after the sedative effect took place.