What are Tranquilizers?

• Tranquilizers are depressant drugs that can be used to treat anxiety or insomnia.
• Sedatives are used as a sleep aid or relaxer and anti anxiety tranquilizers are used to gain a sense of well-being or to reduce feelings of panic or tension.
• Like alcohol, tranquilizers work to depress brain functions which can cause impaired thinking and memory loss, emotional instability, altered perceptions and slurred speech.

Common Names

• BuSpar, Equanil, Miltown, Librium, Valium, Serax Clonpin, Calmane, Halcion

Short-term Effects

• Relief of anxiety or tension
• Sense of relaxation
• Sense of well-being
• Impairment of memory
• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Stupor

Long-term Effects

• Lethargy and over sedation
• Decreased motivation
• Irritability
• Vivid or disturbing dreams
• Nausea
• Headache
• Skin rash
• Impaired sexual functioning
• Menstrual irregularities
• Tremors
• Loss of appetite or increased appetite

Under the class of sedatives, GHB and Rohypnol are popularly known as date rape drugs. In many instances, victims are drugged when their drinks are spiked with GHB or Rohypnol.  They may wake up the next day not knowing how they got where they are or what happened the night before.

 A. GHB What is it?

• GHB stands for gamma hydroxybutyric acid.
• It comes in both liquid and powder.
• GHB is odorless and tasteless.
• It depresses all brain functions.

Street Names Liquid Ecstasy, Ever Clear, Scoop, G, Goop, G-Riffick, Georgia Home Boy, GHB, Liquid X, Cherry Menth How is it taken? GHB is can be taken orally in liquid form, smoked and snorted. Short-term Effect

• Nausea
• Seizures
• Impaired memory

Long-term Effect

• Coma
• Memory impairment
• Damage to heart and lungs

Behaviors of Users

• Relaxed mood
• Affectionate
• Sensual
• Slurred speech
• Tipsy or clumsy
• Playful
• Energetic

The Scoop on GHB

• GHB looks just like water.
• In the past, GHB was used for muscle growth just like steroids.
• GHB has been related to sexual assaults.
• GHB is generally used by poly drug users, club kids, and college students.
• If taken in large doses, GHB can induce coma.
• GHB can cause death by through the suppression of the respiratory system and the induction of cardiac arrest.
• Once made available in health stores, the Food and Drug Administration has now banned GHB in the Unites States.

B. Rohypnol What is it?

• Rohypnol are white tablets imprinted with the name "Roche".
• It is known as the "magic bullet" for patients suffering from anxiety and sleeping disorders.
• It is very similar in chemical composition to Valium and barbiturates.
• Rohypnol produces sedative effects that force the relaxation of muscles and slow the response time of the Central Nervous System .
• The chemical name of Rohypnol is flunitrazepam.

Street Name Roofies, La Rocha, Ruffies, Coma Capsules, Roche, Rope, R-2, Roofenol,  Roachies, Rib How is it taken? Rohypnol or roofies can be taken orally, smoked and snorted. Short-term Effect

• Sleepiness
• Loss of coordination
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Memory impairment

Long-term Effects

• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Social phobias
• Amnesia
• Poor coordination

Behaviors of  Users

• Slurred speech
• Disorientation

The Scoop on Rohypnol

• Rohypnol is so powerful that it can cause amnesia.
• Rohypnol is often combined with alcohol, marijuana, heroine, or cocaine to produce a rapid high.  However, the combination of these drugs is very risky, and has proven lethal in many cases.
• Some high school teens and college students have used Rohypnol to party with.
• Rohypnol is not sold or manufactured in the United States.
• The first reported case of Rohypnol abuse originated Florida, and since then most of the reported cases have been concentrated in the Southern and Western States.
• According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there have been more than 1,000 cases of illegal Rohypnol possession in 13 states.

Tolerance /Withdrawal There is little information on the tolerance and withdrawal effects of GHB and Rohypnol but overall the tolerance for sedatives develop quickly.  Due to the affects on the nervous system, the withdrawal symptoms are seizures, anxiety, increased heart rate, nausea, sweating, hallucinations, headache, and abdominal cramps.

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Sources: 1. http://www.health.org 2.  Kuhn, Cynthia, Scott Swartzwelder, and Wilkie Wilson.  Buzzed.  W. W. Norton and Company.  New York: 1998. 3.  http://www.drugfreeamerica.com Return to the list of Drug Categories Return to the Main Page