What Kind of Drug Is It?

Rohypnol (roh-HIPP-nahl) is the brand name for the drug flunitrazepam (flu-nih-TRAZ-uh-pam). Rohypnol is a depressant, which means it decreases activity in the brain and the rest of the body. There are two main types of medical depressants: barbiturates (bar-BIH-chuh-rits), which are used as sleeping pills and are often referred to as "downers"; and benzodiazepines (ben-zoh-die-AZ-uh-peenz), a group of drugs used to treat anxiety. Rohypnol is a benzodiazepine.

Rohypnol is often referred to as a sedative-hypnotic as well, because it calms people down and brings on sleep. In addition, Rohypnol causes muscles to relax, eases anxiety (feelings of being extremely overwhelmed, restless, and worried), and reduces the severity of seizure conditions. Although it is approved for use in about sixty countries (primarily as a sleeping aid), it is not and never has been a legal substance in the United States.

In the early...