The Increasing Incidence of Rapes Caused by Illicit Use of Skunchies and Rohypnol Among Youths in Nigeria

Abstract

The ugly rise in rape cases in Nigeria caused by persistent use of stimulants commonly referred to as ‘skunchies and Rohypnol posed a great challenge for health professionals and drug regulatory authorities. We report two cases of illicit use of controlled or banned substances in the preparation of ‘zobo’ artisanal beverages in some parts of Nigeria and consumed by some youths to be ‘high’. In this case, dried or fresh leaves of marijuana (Cannabis sativa) are soaked in water for 48 hours, and the resulting filtrate will be mixed with cracked cocaine and ethanol. This mixture will then be added to prepared artisanal ‘zobo’ (Hibiscus sabdariffa) beverages and sold to some youths for consumption to be ‘high’. In case two, instead of adding the abovementioned substances to the ‘zobo’ beverages, Rohypnol (Flunitrazepam) a CNS depressant was added. The consequences of using these two preparations by some youths aged between 18 and 40 years are elevated rape cases in Nigeria (with many rape cases unreported). Most of the consumers of these preparations are currently in rehabilitation health centres across the country due to various degrees of CNS imbalance.