Thanks to
AmadeusTheKitten for pointing out this hysterical
rubbish. I feel the need to respond particularly because of the misidentification of the "
date rape drug". Keep in mind throughout this writeup that I am not speaking directly to
AmadeusTheKitten, but rather to the poster of the quoted message (who I'm sure is not actually listening).
It's far more common than deaths and injuries from drug use, far more common than the dissemination of useful and valuable information regarding the popular substances of the day.
It is hysterical, non-factual, emotionally charged and over-hyped misinformation; usually spread by people with an axe to grind, or people concerned enough to tell people how to live, but not enough to investigate the facts for themselves.
I will respond to a few of the inaccuracies in the newsgroup post, partially because I am neurotically opposed to the presentation of falsehood where it might be construed as fact, and partially because misinformation kills teenagers (not the drugs some of them take).
First of all, Ecstasy is NOT THE DATE RAPE DRUG. The drug that spawned the term "roofies" is Flunitrazepam, also known as Rohypnol. It is a benzodiazepine anxiolytic and sometimes referred to as a sedative hypnotic. Although it can cause anterograde amnesia (the effects are similar to extreme alcohol intoxication), it is only dangerous when taken in large doses or when mixed with alcohol (mixing rohypnol and alcohol can be fatal, since mixing and matching your depressants can result in the depression of your involuntary body functions..you know...like breathing). Rohypnol is easily identifiable by the words "La Roche" printed on the tablet.
Another drug that is today (rarely) used as the "date rape drug" is GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate, C4H8NaO3), which does, in high doses, induce a state similar to a coma. It is typically found in salt or liquid form. GHB is used recreationally (and is even called "liquid E" in some areas), but the recreational dose threshold is extremely narrow, and a small overdose can be potentially dangerous. GHB could be used as a tool for sexual predators because it is extremely effective as a powerful depressant, at as low as 2-3 grams of powder (which can be condensed down to 2-3 ml of water!). As with rohypnol, it can easily be fatal when combined with alcohol. Although there has been a lot of artificial "bad press" about GHB in connection with sexual assault, it still can be used maliciously, despite it's bitter taste. Just because it's not "the original" date rape drug doesn’t make it any better if you've accidentally ingested it. Watch your drink. Always.
Spreading hysterical misinformation about drug use is one thing. Sexual assault, on the other hand, is just one of those things you should take more seriously and get your facts straight about.
The flaw in "Aticson"'s attitude at this point is that the individual is upset that it is difficult to get their friends to stop using "drugs". The individual knew of their friends drug use, but didn't say anything because of the conflict getting him to stop would cause. "Aticson", like so many other concerned luddites out there, has missed the obvious compromise. If "Aticson" had bothered to go to DanceSafe.org, Erowid.org, or Lycaeum.org and collected some useful information for their friend, the traumatic hospital visit (most likely) wouldn't have occurred. Instead, it was a choice between silence or condemnation, the end result of the sensationalism of American media. I'm not blaming the newsgroup poster for being confused into a state of silence by the popular media barrage, but it is unfortunate nonetheless.