The board wants to act promptly to assess the extent of the problem and take whatever action is deemed prudent. Rohypnol, a tranquilizer, is manufactured by Roche HLR Service for use in Mexico, South America, Europe and Asia as a sleeping aid. On March 5 the U.S. Customs Service imposed a ban on bringing Rohypnol into the U.S. from Mexico. Before the ban, according to a survey by a University of Texas faculty member, as many as 4,000 Rohypnol tablets per day were declared by people entering Texas through one border crossing.
Officials believe the number of undeclared tablets is much higher.
People who combine alcohol and Rohypnol have reported blackouts lasting from eight to 24 hours, with no recollection of the time they were intoxicated or how any injuries may have occurred to them. Date rape, promiscuity, ritual use and slipping the drug to people without their knowledge have been reported.