The Iowa House of Representatives approved a bill Tuesday addressing the date-rape drug Rohypnol.

Activists say the bill is a step forward in the battle to eliminate rape.

Speaker of the House Ron Corbett, R-Cedar Rapids, said the bill prohibits sex while one of the participants is under the influence of a controlled substance and is unable to resist because of the drug.

“The new law will make it easier for prosecutors to convict individuals who use date-rape drugs like Rohypnol to prey on women,” Corbett said.

The bill also prohibits sex when the initiator reasonably should have known the victim was given a controlled substance without the victim’s knowledge. Rohypnol is the foremost substance targeted, but, Corbett said, “It is important to note that we included all controlled substances in the bill.”

Brad Hampson, pharmacist at McFarland Clinic, said Rohypnol has not been documented yet in Ames.

But Julie Wooden, co-chairwoman of Take Back the Night, said because of Rohypnol’s appearance, “A lot of people don’t even know they’ve been drugged.”

Victims of the drug become disoriented with a loss of motor skills. They may appear to be drunk. Victims then pass out and will have little or no memory of the next six to 12 hours, depending on the dosage, leaving them vulnerable to attack.

The ACCESS crisis line, an Ames rape support hot line, reported 233 rape crises during the 1995-96 school year, none of which was known to involve Rohypnol. However, Wooden speculates 99 percent were acquaintance rapes, which is the type most frequently associated with the drug.

“Women should never accept an open container from anyone, even someone they know,” Wooden said.

Wooden said college women should be especially aware of the possibility of the drug at parties and during Veishea, citing statistics claiming one in four college women will be the victim of rape or attempted rape. She has heard rumors that the drug is in Ames.

“It is important that Iowa’s sexual abuse laws include reference to date rape drugs,” Corbett said.

The bill has been sent to the Iowa Senate.