Cases Involving Date Rape, Drug Increase

In the last eight months, authorities in two Texas counties charged 32 people with illegal possession of Rohypnol, a powerful sedative that has been linked to several cases of rape. According to District Attorney Lynn Ellison, I plan to get our office to rethink the type of punishment we are seeking in these cases, now that we know these pills are used to victimize people.”

Slipping Rohypnol into alcoholic beverages make the drug -- notorious in Texas and Florida -- 10 times more potent than Valium; it has been identified as an agent in sexual assaults against unsuspecting girls. Most of the people charged with possession of the drug were under 25 and were also charged with possession of Valium or another prescription drug

Media Resources: The Nando Net and the San Francisco Examiner - March 11, 1996

© Feminist Majority Foundation, publisher of Ms. magazine

If you liked this story, consider making a tax-deductible donation to support Ms. magazine.