Roofies

Patented in 1962, flunitrazepam came into use in 1974 and is often referred to as roofies, wolfies, 'forget me' pills. It is a mind-altering substance that can lead to addiction and overdose. 

Combining flunitrazepam with other substances can be dangerous and potentially fatal. When mixed with alcohol, its effects are intensified. Victims have described the drug's effect as paralyzing, leaving them unable to resist a sexual assault. Their memory is impaired, and they may not be able to remember what had occurred after the drug took effect. Flunitrazepam can cause respiratory depression, coma and death. It is sometimes used to enhance a heroin high or ease the adverse effects of a crack or cocaine binge. Because it is inexpensive, flunitrazepam is popular with high school and university students.

You may know it better by its street names, which include circles, roofenol, roll and fall, forget me pill, la rocha, lunch money, R2, Roach 2, ruffies, rophies, wolfies

When you swallow flunitrazepam, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and travels to the brain, depressing the central nervous system. Small amounts may help you feel more confident, but they can cause quick intoxication, dizziness, disorientation, drowsiness and impaired judgment. You may suffer memory loss, nausea, hot and cold flashes, and difficulty speaking or moving. You can wake up confused, unable to account for a period of time.

Milder symptoms of an overdose can include lower blood pressure, slower heart rate and slurring of speech. You may also be unsteady on your feet. If the overdose is more severe, you could lose consciousness. Your breathing and heart may stop momentarily. You may also experience withdrawal symptoms, including depression, hallucinations, convulsions, headaches and sore muscles. Continued use could lead to addiction.

Flunitrazepam has been widely linked to cases of sexual assault. As well, it has been used to incapacitate victims of theft. It is commonly used in suicides and often detected in people suspected of driving under the influence of drugs. BenzodiazepineA category of drugs that slows down brain activitys such as flunitrazepam are only legally available in Canada by prescription and should only be consumed as recommended by a physician. It is illegal to traffic, import or produce it.

To find you guilty of possessing a benzodiazepine, the Crown prosecutorA lawyer who conducts a criminal prosecution on behalf of the public. must establish beyond a reasonable doubtThe high standard the Crown must meet to prove guilt. that you were in possession of the drug. Remember that "possession" is not just limited to the idea that the drug was found on your person or in your car or house. Instead, it means you had some degree of control and knowledge of the drug.

As a result, you can be found guilty of possession even if the flunitrazepam was found at someone else's house or in a friend's locker.

The Crown must also prove that the substance is listed in the CDSA and that you knew what it was. The Crown does not have to prove that you knew the exact law. If you had a valid prescription or other legal authorization, possessing it may be allowed.

Drug crimes are generally distinguished as either possessionHaving knowledge and control of something — not only physically holding it, but also an item kept somewhere else that you know about and control. or sales offences. Sentences will vary depending on how much you possessed and if there were any aggravating factorsA fact or circumstance that may support a more severe sentence.. If you have been charged with possessing a small amount of illegally obtained flunitrazepam, you will likely face a light sentence for a first conviction. However, selling or distributing narcotics comes with much more severe penalties. Your sentence will depend on the specifics of your case, so if you have been convicted of illegally possessing, manufacturing or distributing a narcotic, you could be sent to jail, even if it is your first offence.

Flunitrazepam, often called roofies, is a Schedule I drug under the CDSA. Simple possession is a hybrid offenceAn offence the Crown can proceed with summarily or by indictment.: on indictment the maximum is 7 years; on summary convictionLess-serious criminal offences the maximum is $1,000 and/or 6 months for a first offence, or $2,000 and/or 1 year for a subsequent offence. TraffickingInfluencing the movements of a person in order to exploit them or possession for the purpose of trafficking can only be tried as an indictable offenceA more serious type of Canadian criminal offence. and carries a maximum of life imprisonment.

Under the CDSA, you can be convicted of trafficking if you "sell, administer, give, transport, send or deliver the substance" or "sell an authorization to obtain the substance or offer to do anything mentioned." An exchange of money is not required for a conviction; transferring a controlled substance such as flunitrazepam from one person to another is enough.

It is important to note that if you used the drug in a sexual assault or theft, you could face additional charges under the Code.

November 17, 2022
Update: Bill C-5: Mandatory Minimum Penalties Repealed.

'Roofies' is a street term. This page covers flunitrazepam and GHB because those substances are commonly associated with that term and with drug-facilitated offences. The CDSA uses the chemical/statutory names, not the street term.