WHEREAS, flunitrazepam, a potent sedative/hypnotic drug most commonly known under the trade name of “Rohypnol,” is abused in many countries by such groups as teenagers, young adults, nightclub and party attendees, and individuals abusing alcohol, heroin or cocaine; and

WHEREAS, flunitrazepam has been used to produce mental and physical incapacitation and, thus facilitate such criminal acts as sexual assault and robbery; and

WHEREAS, the abuse of flunitrazepam presents a significant health risk to abusers, including teenagers and young adults, as well as to potential assault victims and the surrounding community; such risks include the possibility of death when used in combination with other depressants; and

WHEREAS, flunitrazepam is diverted from numerous domestic sources in many countries and is frequently smuggled across international borders; and

WHEREAS, flunitrazepam, as a result of extensive international abuse and trafficking and at the recommendation of the World Health Organization, was separated from the other benzodiazepines and moved from Schedule IV to Schedule III of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances in 1995; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 104th annual conference in Orlando, Florida, urges that national governments examine the need for more stringent controls of flunitrazepam under national law; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police urges that health and law enforcement agencies in each country develop educational programs regarding the hazards from flunitrazepam abuse.