Flunitrazepam as a Club Drug A Medico-social Evaluation
Handbook of Substance Misuse and Addictions: From Biology to Public Health, Springer International Publishing Ag, ss.2635-2381, 2022
- Yayın Türü: Kitapta Bölüm / Araştırma Kitabı
- Basım Tarihi: 2022
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/978-3-030-92392-1_124
- Yayınevi: Springer International Publishing Ag
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.2635-2381
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Addictive, Adolescent, Benzodiazepine, Cognition, Drug abuse, Drug overdose, Drug tolerance, Flumazenil, Flunitrazepam, Illicit drug, Rape
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Drug abuse has prevailed over the years parallel to advances in technology and lifestyle trends and continues to be a major public health issue. Drugs used in clubs and similar settings are referred to as “club drugs” and are classified as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, gamma-hydroxybutyrate, ketamine, and flunitrazepam (FTZ). They are cheap, ergonomic, and easy to obtain, hence making them especially popular among teenagers and young adults. FTZ is a very potent benzodiazepine that has inhibitory effects on the central nervous system. It can be used for both therapeutic and illicit causes. It is mostly known by its trade name Rohypnol, and referred to by many as the “date-rape drug” due to its incapacitating effects such as muscle inhibition, impaired cognitive function, and amnesia. Date-rape is the most common form of rape and mostly occurs in settings where alcohol and club drugs, especially FTZ, are ingested. The misconduct of FTZ is not limited to sexual assault as the drug is also used to facilitate numerous criminal acts. The detection of FTZ via standard testing is difficult and sensitive analytical methods such as GMCS are necessary. Cases of addiction, withdrawal and tolerance are treated symptomatically. Overdose is common and can be treated with the antidote, flumazenil. FTZ victims require efficient support as rehabilitation may be consuming. Drug abuse is a serious threat to the general well-being of society and solid preventive policies and effective educational campaigns must be implied.