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GENERAL INFORMATION: wOMEN WARNED ABOUT DATE RAPE DRUG |
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- From the Chicago Sun Times January 9, 1999 BY JOHN CARPENTER CRIME REPORTER Experts say burundanga may be the next "date rape" drug to hit Chicago. There have been no confirmed cases here. But a northwest suburban sexual assault advocacy center is warning women to be on guard for the colorless, odorless, easily concealed drug from South America. "We don't know of anyone who has tested positive for it, but we have very good information that it is out there," said Mary Thorpe, coordinator of advocacy for the Arlington Heights-based Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault. The drug comes to the United States by way of Colombia, where it has been used for many years by criminals to incapacitate their victims. Like other so-called date rape drugs, such as GHB and Rohypnol, it can cause victims to black out. In some cases women have awakened hours later and discovered that they had been sexually assaulted, Thorpe said. These drugs are especially harmful because they render victims unable to remember what happened to them, making prosecution difficult, if not impossible. Also, the drugs often are used in bars and nightclubs, where victims often have used alcohol or other drugs as well, further muddying recollection. Burundanga, which is obtained from a plant commonly grown in Colombia, also goes by the medical name Scopolamine, which has long been used as a sedative. Too much of it, however, can cause disorientation and memory loss, Thorpe said. There have been reported cases in South America of victims willingly opening their bank accounts to assailants after being doped with the drug. Dr. Jerrold B. Leikin, associate medical director of emergency services at Rush-Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center, said he has heard of the drug but has not yet seen cases of it here. "You better believe it's scary," he said, adding that it can be administered with an eye-dropper. Thought you might have some interest in knowing about the latest new drug on the club scene and gyms called GBL, also known as ReNutrient, Blue Nitro, ReVitalise Plus, Revivarant, and other names. It claims: Basically gamma butyrolactone, one of the main ingredients in GHB, it is being sold and marketed legally over the internet, in some gyms, and health food stores much as GHB was originally. Gamma butyrolactone is also used as an ingredient in cleaning solvents (reportedly Red Devil floor cleaner was pulled from Austin stores because of these concerns) and some marketers claim that since it is a natural chemical compound, it is safe. Once taken, it reportedly breaks down and is converted into GHB in the body. It is sold in both liquid and powder form. It can cause respiratory failure and comas and possibly death. The Texas Health Department plans to issue a warning about this "natural growth hormone" either today or tomorrow. Texas Poison control has already documented 12 overdoses in Texas, primarily the Dallas and Houston areas and EMS has reported 15 calls additionally in Houston (anecdotally). This drug is very inexpensive, selling 32 "hits" for less than $80. It is already a hot drug in some parts of California, and has hit the Texas metropolitan areas. It should be considered dangerous. It is being marketed both as a sleeping aid and claims to enhance sex, which should be an easy sell for sex offenders who want a new legal drug to drop into an unsuspecting victims drink. I have been told it will cause memory impairment much as GHB does. To view one of the internet ads for this product, check out http://www.musclesoft.com/revivarant.htm Also, on date rape drug prevention, our agency attaches labels to "SMARTIES" candy. We use the word SMART to remind folks to avoid being victimized that way: Sip only from cans you open yourself Monitor your drink constantly Avoid drugs and alcohol Refuse to drink from a common punchbowl Throw away anything that tastes "funny" or salty It works very well for us! Deb Fazenbaker, Homesafe Rape Crisis Resources
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