NCJ Number
169438
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 24 Issue: 5 Dated: (May 1997) Pages: 34-35
Editor(s)
T McGlone
Date Published
1997
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article describes field test procedures to confirm the presence of the drug Rohypnol.
Abstract
The drug Rohypnol, 10 times more potent than Valium, is sometimes referred to as "the date rape drug." It can be slipped into a victim's drink undetected and he or she may black out, awakening hours later in a strange place and frequently having been sexually violated. The drug is not approved for medical use within the United States, but has been increasingly detected throughout most of North America. Chemists for NIK Public Safety have formulated a chemical agent that works as a catalyst in identifying the drug and allows investigators in the field to identify the drug in victims immediately. Implementation of this and other Narcotic Field Tests has enabled street officers to switch rapidly from their investigative to their arrest mode, to provide confirmation of a seized substance within the mandated time frame. Within the past 20 years, more than 80,000 officers have received training in field testing procedures and capabilities, and increasing numbers of jurisdictions are requesting training.