The Alarming Increase in the Use of ‘Date-Rape’ Drugs
Image credit: UN News Center
Today we’d like to announce the publication of Purav Mody’s report on his elective working in gastroenterology at St Elizabeth’s hospital in Boston, USA and learning how the surgical, pathological and radiological aspects of GI medicine relate to each other. Read about it here.
Today’s blog written by Manuel Rivera, TLS Regional Advisor for El Salvador, addressed the current evidence on the use of date-rape drugs around the world
Dynamic inter-governmental efforts are required for the regulation of other familiar or derived “date rape” substances being licitly trafficked
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) recently emitted its’ 2009 annual report which evidenced a rising trend in the use and abuse of substances facilitating sexual assault. The INCB functions as an independent body of the United Nations (UN) implementing international conventions for drug control. Essentially, it is by the INCB conventions that the UN contributes to different nations in their fight against the illicit traffic of drug. This emergent and rapidly growing problem has unveiled the immediate need for INCB to call on the governments to implement resolution 52/8 from the Commission on Narcotic drugs. Resolution 52/8 demands for greater actions and attention from governments in their duty condemning drug-facilitated sexual assault; several considerations such as reshaping the legal framework or establishing regulations for drugs having the potential of producing this kind of effects are considered hereby.
The repertoire of substances used as ‘date rape’ drugs is vast and not limited to one specific pharmaceutical family. Contrary to what would be normally thought, prescription drugs are far more used than other drugs (e.g. MDMA, cocaine or cannabis). High dose benzodiazepines are among the most frequently used “date-rape” drugs; pharmacologically speaking, benzodiazepines have sedatives, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, muscle relaxant and, in high doses, amnesic properties. The term “date rape” drug finds its roots from a now scarcely used benzodiazepine: flunitrazepam or rohypnol (also known as “ruffies”). A drug facilitated sexual-assault case usually can be recognized by the following typical story of: “I was at this party, and this guy gave me a drink. Next thing I know, it is morning and I’m in someone’s bed. I have no idea what happened in between”.
Many pharmaceutical companies have declared themselves against the illicit traffic of drug, and as such, have discontinued production of high dose presentations. Moreover, the addition of flavor and colorants renders substances recognizable by the victims and lessens considerably their use by perpetrators. Nevertheless, and even if these positive measures have been proven effective to some degree, dynamic inter-governmental efforts are required for the regulation of other familiar or derived “date rape” substances being licitly trafficked. In addition, the INCB annual report invites nations to review regularly their legislations but more so aims nations where the use of drugs to facilitate the commission of a crime is not considered a felony and thereby cannot be properly sanctioned. According to the INCB, substance mediated sexual-assault is a complex issue affecting many countries especially since drug traffic follows an intricate network closely related with organized crime and held responsible for a great amount of homicides in some Latin-American and African countries.
Finally, the president from the INCB, Professor Sevil Atassoy stresses on the need of drug primary prevention for persons who are either not using or not seriously involved with drugs: forging a partnership early with civil society repays the effort with greater awareness and caution towards the potential risks associated with drug consumption.
References:
1. http://www.incb.org/pdf/annual-report/2009/en/Press_Kit_09_English/05INCBwarnsAboutDrugs_PressKitE.pdf p46-48
2. http://www.unodc.org/documents/commissions/CND-Res-2000-until-present/CND-2009-Session52/CNDResolution_52_8.pdf
3. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33876&Cr=drugs&Cr1=