2.1 Daderman
& Lidberg reported "Flunitrazepam,
widely known by its trade names (e.g. Rohypnol),
may cause severe violence, especially in combination
with alcohol. Flunitrazepam abusers become cold-blooded,
ruthless and violent, and do not remember their
violence. Reputedly it is supplied to professional
hit-men and enforcers by their bosses to promote
ruthless efficacy. One case report describes
how a young man, intoxicated with flunitrazepam
and involved in causing serious knife and gunshot
wounds and taking hostages, felt so invincible
that he openly challenged the police, threatening
them with an assault rifle, but was himself
shot."
2.2 In
a later study of 19 juvenile flunitrazepam abusers,
Daderman & Lidberg reported: "An
overdose of FZ gives an increased feeling of
power and self-esteem, reduces fear and insecurity,
and provides the belief that everything is possible.
FZ is also associated with loss of episodic
memory and with impulsive violence, particularly
when combined with alcohol....Almost
all of the FZ abusers had been previously sentenced
for serious violent offenses." and
concluded: "Our data suggest that FZ
abused by psychiatrically vulnerable subjects
(i.e., with high scores on boredom susceptibility
and verbal aggression) poses a serious hazard
both to the abusers as well as the community."
2.3 Salvaggio
et al studied heroin addicts who also used flunitrazepam,
normally initiated via a doctors prescription,
finding "amnesia and increased feeling
of power (11% of cases), often resulting in
serious violent offenses."
2.4 The
interactions of Rohynol and the GABA-ergic receptors
can lead to a reduction in serotonin levels,
which have been widely-associated with increased
risk of violent behaviour or suicide.
